FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 November 2015
Introduction
On 10 November 2015, 1248 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 1127 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 53 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1248
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (462)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (118)
Where the complaints came from
Across 784 cities in 53 states and territories, a total of 1248 complaints were recorded on 10 November 2015. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 118 | 9.5% |
| Florida | 117 | 9.4% |
| Texas | 76 | 6.1% |
| Georgia | 64 | 5.1% |
| Maryland | 63 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 62 | 5.0% |
| New York | 59 | 4.7% |
| Washington | 49 | 3.9% |
| Tennessee | 48 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 550 | 44.1% |
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 879 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 879 | 70.4% |
| Internet | 230 | 18.4% |
| TV | 100 | 8.0% |
| Radio | 36 | 2.9% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
879 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 462 | 52.6% |
| Robocalls | 234 | 26.6% |
| Billing | 73 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 21 | 2.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 17 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
230 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 65 | 28.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 56 | 24.3% |
| Availability | 41 | 17.8% |
| Speed | 24 | 10.4% |
| Privacy | 17 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 15 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 12 | 5.2% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability.
TV complaints
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 37 | 37.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 25 | 25.0% |
| Availability | 14 | 14.0% |
| Equipment | 11 | 11.0% |
| Indecency | 7 | 7.0% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
36 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 27 | 75.0% |
| Availability | 3 | 8.3% |
| Indecency | 3 | 8.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 5.6% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Availability, 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.