FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 October 2015
Introduction
A total of 1329 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 29 October 2015, this represented an increase from the 1300 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 52 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
- 1329
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (476)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (140)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1329 complaints were recorded on 29 October 2015, with reports originating from 816 cities in 52 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 41 of the 62 complaints recorded.
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 | 140 | 10.5% |
| California | 129 | 9.7% |
| Texas | 96 | 7.2% |
| New York | 67 | 5.0% |
| Maryland | 62 | 4.7% |
| Washington | 53 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 48 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 42 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 596 | 44.8% |
Location highlight
A large share of complaints in Maryland originated from Frederick, which accounted for most 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 956 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 956 | 71.9% |
| Internet | 193 | 14.5% |
| TV | 113 | 8.5% |
| Radio | 55 | 4.1% |
| Accessibility | 8 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
956 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 476 | 49.8% |
| Robocalls | 254 | 26.6% |
| Billing | 69 | 7.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 36 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 27 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 26 | 2.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 23 | 2.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 1.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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
193 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 26.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 34 | 17.6% |
| Speed | 31 | 16.1% |
| Availability | 29 | 15.0% |
| Privacy | 24 | 12.4% |
| Interference | 13 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 10 | 5.2% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Speed.
TV complaints
113 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 24.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 27 | 23.9% |
| Availability | 25 | 22.1% |
| Equipment | 14 | 12.4% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.2% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Loud Commercials and Availability.
Radio complaints
55 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 47 | 85.5% |
| Indecency | 2 | 3.6% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 3.6% |
| Availability | 1 | 1.8% |
| Billing | 1 | 1.8% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 1.8% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.8% |
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.