FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 November 2015
Introduction
A total of 320 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 15 November 2015, this was lower than the 490 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 44 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Billing was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 320
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Billing (58)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (37)
Where the complaints came from
The 320 complaints recorded on 15 November 2015 originated from 237 cities across 44 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 37 | 11.6% |
| Washington | 28 | 8.8% |
| Maryland | 23 | 7.2% |
| Florida | 22 | 6.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 19 | 5.9% |
| New York | 15 | 4.7% |
| Georgia | 13 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 13 | 4.1% |
| Arizona | 10 | 3.1% |
| Massachusetts | 9 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 131 | 40.9% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 33 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 132 complaints. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 89 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 132 | 41.3% |
| Internet | 89 | 27.8% |
| TV | 50 | 15.6% |
| Radio | 46 | 14.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
132 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 41.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 53 | 40.2% |
| Robocalls | 23 | 17.4% |
| Billing | 21 | 15.9% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 6.1% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 4 | 3.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 3.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 1.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.8% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) represented the largest share of complaints recorded in this category, with lower volumes reported across the remaining issues.
Internet complaints
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 27.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 21 | 23.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 15 | 16.9% |
| Availability | 12 | 13.5% |
| Privacy | 12 | 13.5% |
| Speed | 12 | 13.5% |
| Equipment | 9 | 10.1% |
| Interference | 8 | 9.0% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability.
TV complaints
50 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 15 | 30.0% |
| Availability | 9 | 18.0% |
| Indecency | 9 | 18.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 12.0% |
| Interference | 6 | 12.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 8.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.0% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Indecency.
Radio complaints
46 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 21 | 45.7% |
| Interference | 17 | 37.0% |
| Indecency | 4 | 8.7% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.2% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.2% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.2% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 2.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Interference, 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.