FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 October 2015
Introduction
On Saturday, 24 October 2015, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 487 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1197 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 45 states and territories, with Florida slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 487
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (140)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (57)
Where the complaints came from
Across 370 cities in 45 states and territories, a total of 487 complaints were recorded on 24 October 2015. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 27 of the 33 complaints recorded in the state.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 57 | 11.7% |
| California | 50 | 10.3% |
| Maryland | 33 | 6.8% |
| Texas | 31 | 6.4% |
| New York | 27 | 5.5% |
| Georgia | 26 | 5.3% |
| Illinois | 20 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 17 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 17 | 3.5% |
| Washington | 17 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 192 | 39.4% |
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
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 276 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 276 | 56.7% |
| Internet | 118 | 24.2% |
| TV | 55 | 11.3% |
| Radio | 36 | 7.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
276 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 56.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 140 | 50.7% |
| Robocalls | 71 | 25.7% |
| Billing | 26 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 9 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 8 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 5 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 1.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.7% |
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
118 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 24.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 39.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 22 | 18.6% |
| Availability | 15 | 12.7% |
| Speed | 13 | 11.0% |
| Interference | 10 | 8.5% |
| Privacy | 10 | 8.5% |
| Equipment | 2 | 1.7% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
55 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 21 | 38.2% |
| Indecency | 12 | 21.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 12.7% |
| Interference | 5 | 9.1% |
| Availability | 4 | 7.3% |
| Equipment | 4 | 7.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.8% |
Billing and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
36 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 31 | 86.1% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 4 | 11.1% |
| Indecency | 1 | 2.8% |
Interference and Commercials/Promotions 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.