FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 November 2015
Introduction
On Friday, 6 November 2015, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1846 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1728 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, with Florida 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
- 1846
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (449)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (193)
Where the complaints came from
On 6 November 2015, the 1846 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 1052 cities across 53 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 193 | 10.5% |
| California | 190 | 10.3% |
| Texas | 118 | 6.4% |
| Georgia | 105 | 5.7% |
| Illinois | 89 | 4.8% |
| Tennessee | 81 | 4.4% |
| New York | 72 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 71 | 3.8% |
| Washington | 67 | 3.6% |
| Massachusetts | 58 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 800 | 43.3% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Internet accounted for the largest share, with 868 complaints. This was followed by Phone, which accounted for 819 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Internet | 868 | 47.0% |
| Phone | 819 | 44.4% |
| TV | 120 | 6.5% |
| Radio | 28 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 8 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
Internet complaints
868 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 47.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 340 | 39.2% |
| Billing | 326 | 37.6% |
| Availability | 111 | 12.8% |
| Speed | 44 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 20 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 19 | 2.2% |
| Equipment | 8 | 0.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Phone complaints
819 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 44.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 449 | 54.8% |
| Robocalls | 191 | 23.3% |
| Billing | 67 | 8.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 33 | 4.0% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
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.
TV complaints
120 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 48 | 40.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 18 | 15.0% |
| Indecency | 17 | 14.2% |
| Availability | 14 | 11.7% |
| Equipment | 12 | 10.0% |
| Interference | 8 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing accounted for the largest share 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.