FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 November 2015
Introduction
On 26 November 2015, 339 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 969 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 42 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 50 complaints. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 339
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (107)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (50)
Where the complaints came from
The 339 complaints recorded on 26 November 2015 originated from 271 cities across 42 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant 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 | 50 | 14.7% |
| Florida | 25 | 7.4% |
| Washington | 20 | 5.9% |
| Georgia | 16 | 4.7% |
| Maryland | 16 | 4.7% |
| New York | 16 | 4.7% |
| Texas | 16 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 14 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 13 | 3.8% |
| New Jersey | 12 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 140 | 41.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 211 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 211 | 62.2% |
| Internet | 75 | 22.1% |
| TV | 30 | 8.8% |
| Radio | 21 | 6.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
211 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 62.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 107 | 50.7% |
| Robocalls | 58 | 27.5% |
| Billing | 15 | 7.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 3.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 6 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 1.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 1.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.5% |
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
75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 18 | 24.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 17 | 22.7% |
| Speed | 15 | 20.0% |
| Privacy | 12 | 16.0% |
| Availability | 6 | 8.0% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.0% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
30 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 9 | 30.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 30.0% |
| Billing | 6 | 20.0% |
| Availability | 4 | 13.3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 3.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Indecency and Loud Commercials, 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.