FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 October 2015
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1177 consumer complaints on 9 October 2015 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1366 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was the most frequently reported issue, with 477 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1177
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (477)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (144)
Where the complaints came from
On 9 October 2015, the 1177 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 759 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 144 | 12.2% |
| Texas | 102 | 8.7% |
| Florida | 92 | 7.8% |
| New York | 88 | 7.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 65 | 5.5% |
| Maryland | 44 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 43 | 3.7% |
| Washington | 39 | 3.3% |
| New Jersey | 37 | 3.1% |
| Virginia | 37 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 486 | 41.3% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 878 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 878 | 74.6% |
| Internet | 158 | 13.4% |
| TV | 98 | 8.3% |
| Radio | 33 | 2.8% |
| Emergency | 9 | 0.8% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
878 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 477 | 54.3% |
| Robocalls | 184 | 21.0% |
| Billing | 110 | 12.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 20 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Equipment | 11 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
158 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 35.4% |
| Availability | 29 | 18.4% |
| Speed | 26 | 16.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 22 | 13.9% |
| Interference | 11 | 7.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 7 | 4.4% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 38.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 20 | 20.4% |
| Equipment | 18 | 18.4% |
| Indecency | 10 | 10.2% |
| Availability | 7 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.0% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Loud Commercials and Equipment.
Radio complaints
33 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 22 | 66.7% |
| Indecency | 4 | 12.1% |
| Availability | 3 | 9.1% |
| Billing | 2 | 6.1% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 3.0% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 3.0% |
Interference and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
The information presented on this page is based on consumer complaint data submitted to regulatory authorities. References to telephone numbers reflect reports made by consumers and do not confirm ownership, authenticity, or that the number was genuinely associated with the call. Caller ID information may be inaccurate or subject to spoofing.
Complaint categories, dates and complainant locations are based on the source records and may contain incomplete, approximate or user-entered information. Location details refer to the complainant’s reported location, not the location of the caller or telephone number. This content is provided for informational purposes only.