FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 December 2015
Introduction
A total of 1199 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, 1 December 2015, this was higher than the 964 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was the most frequently reported issue, with 435 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1199
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (435)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (144)
Where the complaints came from
The 1199 complaints recorded on 1 December 2015 originated from 780 cities across 51 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 table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 144 | 12.0% |
| Florida | 101 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 70 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 64 | 5.3% |
| Georgia | 55 | 4.6% |
| Illinois | 53 | 4.4% |
| New York | 48 | 4.0% |
| Maryland | 41 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 38 | 3.2% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 547 | 45.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 844 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 844 | 70.4% |
| Internet | 201 | 16.8% |
| TV | 117 | 9.8% |
| Radio | 27 | 2.3% |
| Emergency | 6 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
844 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 435 | 51.5% |
| Robocalls | 206 | 24.4% |
| Billing | 84 | 10.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 25 | 3.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.6% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
201 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 27.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 44 | 21.9% |
| Availability | 31 | 15.4% |
| Speed | 28 | 13.9% |
| Privacy | 18 | 9.0% |
| Interference | 13 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 11 | 5.5% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability.
TV complaints
117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 33.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 34 | 29.1% |
| Availability | 18 | 15.4% |
| Indecency | 13 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 9 | 7.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Loud Commercials were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.