FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 November 2015

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1363 consumer complaints on 3 November 2015 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1348 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California 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
1363
States & territories reporting
49
Most common issue
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (438)
Most reported state/territory
California (182)

Where the complaints came from

Reports recorded on 3 November 2015 show 1363 complaints originating from 876 cities across 49 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.

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 182 13.4%
Florida 120 8.8%
Texas 94 6.9%
New York 69 5.1%
Georgia 60 4.4%
Pennsylvania 47 3.4%
Illinois 45 3.3%
Virginia 43 3.2%
Maryland 41 3.0%
Washington 39 2.9%
Other states and territories 623 45.7%

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 870 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 870 63.8%
Internet 364 26.7%
TV 98 7.2%
Radio 27 2.0%
Request for Dispute Assistance 2 0.1%
Accessibility 1 0.1%
Emergency 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

870 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 63.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) 438 50.3%
Robocalls 221 25.4%
Billing 82 9.4%
Privacy 26 3.0%
Availability (including rural call completion) 25 2.9%
Equipment 22 2.5%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 18 2.1%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 15 1.7%
Junk Faxes 11 1.3%
Interference (including signal jammers) 7 0.8%
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

364 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 26.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 107 29.4%
Billing 97 26.6%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 60 16.5%
Speed 47 12.9%
Privacy 22 6.0%
Interference 20 5.5%
Equipment 11 3.0%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.

TV complaints

98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 42 42.9%
Loud Commercials 15 15.3%
Availability 13 13.3%
Equipment 11 11.2%
Indecency 8 8.2%
Interference 7 7.1%
Privacy 2 2.0%

Billing was the most commonly reported issue in this category, while other issues occurred less frequently.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 3 November 2015.

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.