FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 November 2015
Introduction
On 19 November 2015, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1351 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1263 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California 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
- 1351
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (450)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (147)
Where the complaints came from
The 1351 complaints recorded on 19 November 2015 were submitted from 825 cities across 51 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 147 | 10.9% |
| Florida | 116 | 8.6% |
| Texas | 75 | 5.6% |
| New York | 71 | 5.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 68 | 5.0% |
| Georgia | 66 | 4.9% |
| Tennessee | 65 | 4.8% |
| Maryland | 58 | 4.3% |
| Virginia | 44 | 3.3% |
| Arizona | 43 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 595 | 44.0% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 877 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 877 | 64.9% |
| Internet | 340 | 25.2% |
| TV | 91 | 6.7% |
| Radio | 37 | 2.7% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
877 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 450 | 51.3% |
| Robocalls | 224 | 25.5% |
| Billing | 86 | 9.8% |
| Equipment | 30 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 20 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 2.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 16 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| 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
340 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 120 | 35.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 119 | 35.0% |
| Availability | 52 | 15.3% |
| Speed | 18 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 16 | 4.7% |
| Interference | 10 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 5 | 1.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Open Internet/Net Neutrality, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 41.8% |
| Equipment | 12 | 13.2% |
| Availability | 11 | 12.1% |
| Indecency | 11 | 12.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 8.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 6.6% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing represented the largest share of complaints recorded in this category, with lower volumes reported across the remaining issues.
Radio complaints
37 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 24 | 64.9% |
| Indecency | 4 | 10.8% |
| Pirate Radio | 4 | 10.8% |
| Equipment | 3 | 8.1% |
| Availability | 1 | 2.7% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.7% |
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.