FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 October 2015
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 370 consumer complaints on 18 October 2015 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 513 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 42 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 370
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (70)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (58)
Where the complaints came from
On 18 October 2015, the 370 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 254 cities across 42 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 37 of the 41 complaints recorded.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 58 | 15.7% |
| Maryland | 41 | 11.1% |
| Florida | 38 | 10.3% |
| New York | 19 | 5.1% |
| Georgia | 18 | 4.9% |
| Michigan | 15 | 4.1% |
| Texas | 15 | 4.1% |
| Virginia | 14 | 3.8% |
| Washington | 14 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 13 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 125 | 33.8% |
Location highlight
Complaint activity in Maryland was almost entirely concentrated in Frederick.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 4 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 158 reports. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 97 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 158 | 42.7% |
| Internet | 97 | 26.2% |
| TV | 70 | 18.9% |
| Radio | 45 | 12.2% |
Phone complaints
158 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 42.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 70 | 44.3% |
| Robocalls | 30 | 19.0% |
| Billing | 19 | 12.0% |
| Equipment | 10 | 6.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 3.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 2.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 1.9% |
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
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 26.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 27 | 27.8% |
| Billing | 25 | 25.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 17 | 17.5% |
| Availability | 10 | 10.3% |
| Privacy | 9 | 9.3% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Speed, Billing and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
TV complaints
70 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 20 | 28.6% |
| Billing | 17 | 24.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 21.4% |
| Availability | 10 | 14.3% |
| Equipment | 5 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Indecency, Billing and Loud Commercials.
Radio complaints
45 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 39 | 86.7% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 4.4% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.4% |
| Availability | 1 | 2.2% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Commercials/Promotions, 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.