FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 November 2015
Introduction
On 20 November 2015, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1216 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1351 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 432 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1216
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (432)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (153)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 20 November 2015 show 1216 complaints originating from 795 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 | 153 | 12.6% |
| Florida | 102 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 76 | 6.3% |
| New York | 64 | 5.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 57 | 4.7% |
| Tennessee | 57 | 4.7% |
| Washington | 54 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 51 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 48 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 47 | 3.9% |
| Other states and territories | 507 | 41.7% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 102 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
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 837 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 837 | 68.8% |
| Internet | 284 | 23.4% |
| TV | 74 | 6.1% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
837 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 432 | 51.6% |
| Robocalls | 216 | 25.8% |
| Billing | 65 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 23 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 2.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 14 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.6% |
| 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.
Internet complaints
284 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 101 | 35.6% |
| Billing | 89 | 31.3% |
| Availability | 42 | 14.8% |
| Speed | 23 | 8.1% |
| Interference | 12 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 12 | 4.2% |
| Equipment | 5 | 1.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
74 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 51.4% |
| Equipment | 10 | 13.5% |
| Indecency | 10 | 13.5% |
| Availability | 6 | 8.1% |
| Interference | 6 | 8.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Equipment, 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.