FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 October 2015
Introduction
On Tuesday, 20 October 2015, 1297 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 1097 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 54 states and territories, with California 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
- 1297
- States & territories reporting
- 54
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (447)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (180)
Where the complaints came from
On 20 October 2015, the 1297 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 833 cities across 54 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 180 | 13.9% |
| Florida | 108 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 93 | 7.2% |
| New York | 69 | 5.3% |
| Maryland | 61 | 4.7% |
| Georgia | 52 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 49 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 3.2% |
| Ohio | 41 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 555 | 42.8% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 113 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 938 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 938 | 72.3% |
| Internet | 190 | 14.6% |
| TV | 115 | 8.9% |
| Radio | 48 | 3.7% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
938 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 447 | 47.7% |
| Robocalls | 244 | 26.0% |
| Billing | 108 | 11.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 28 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 19 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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
190 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 76 | 40.0% |
| Availability | 32 | 16.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 24 | 12.6% |
| Speed | 20 | 10.5% |
| Privacy | 18 | 9.5% |
| Interference | 11 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 4.7% |
Billing accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
115 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 50.4% |
| Availability | 16 | 13.9% |
| Equipment | 14 | 12.2% |
| Indecency | 11 | 9.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
48 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 39 | 81.3% |
| Indecency | 5 | 10.4% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.1% |
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.