FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 October 2015
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 513 consumer complaints on 17 October 2015 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1275 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 46 states and territories, with Florida recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 513
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (160)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (76)
Where the complaints came from
On 17 October 2015, the 513 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 366 cities across 46 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 30 of the 38 complaints recorded in the state.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 76 | 14.8% |
| California | 74 | 14.4% |
| Maryland | 38 | 7.4% |
| New York | 31 | 6.0% |
| Texas | 30 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 17 | 3.3% |
| Washington | 17 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 15 | 2.9% |
| New Jersey | 15 | 2.9% |
| Virginia | 15 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 185 | 36.1% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Maryland were heavily concentrated in Frederick, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 289 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 289 | 56.3% |
| Internet | 114 | 22.2% |
| TV | 70 | 13.6% |
| Radio | 37 | 7.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
289 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 56.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 160 | 55.4% |
| Robocalls | 56 | 19.4% |
| Billing | 28 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 15 | 5.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 4 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 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.
Internet complaints
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 34.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 22 | 19.3% |
| Speed | 22 | 19.3% |
| Availability | 13 | 11.4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.1% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.4% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
70 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 21 | 30.0% |
| Availability | 13 | 18.6% |
| Equipment | 12 | 17.1% |
| Indecency | 11 | 15.7% |
| Interference | 5 | 7.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 5.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Equipment among the most common.
Radio complaints
37 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 34 | 91.9% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 5.4% |
| Availability | 1 | 2.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Pirate Radio, 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.