FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 October 2015
Introduction
On Sunday, 11 October 2015, 377 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 590 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 39 states and territories, with complaints distributed across multiple locations with similar counts. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 377
- States & territories reporting
- 39
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (68)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 11 October 2015 show 377 complaints originating from 275 cities across 39 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 25 of the 37 complaints recorded in the state.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 37 | 9.8% |
| Maryland | 37 | 9.8% |
| Texas | 35 | 9.3% |
| Florida | 34 | 9.0% |
| Colorado | 23 | 6.1% |
| Washington | 17 | 4.5% |
| Indiana | 16 | 4.2% |
| New York | 14 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 11 | 2.9% |
| Michigan | 11 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 142 | 37.7% |
Location highlight
Frederick accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Maryland.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 151 complaints. This was followed by TV, which accounted for 113 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 151 | 40.1% |
| TV | 113 | 30.0% |
| Internet | 75 | 19.9% |
| Radio | 35 | 9.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
151 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 40.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 68 | 45.0% |
| Robocalls | 27 | 17.9% |
| Billing | 18 | 11.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 14 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 2 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
113 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 30.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 47 | 41.6% |
| Equipment | 18 | 15.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 17 | 15.0% |
| Indecency | 15 | 13.3% |
| Billing | 13 | 11.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.7% |
Availability accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 18 | 24.0% |
| Privacy | 15 | 20.0% |
| Availability | 13 | 17.3% |
| Speed | 13 | 17.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 14.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.0% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Privacy and Availability.
Radio complaints
35 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 28 | 80.0% |
| Indecency | 2 | 5.7% |
| Availability | 1 | 2.9% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.9% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.9% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 2.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.