FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 December 2015
Introduction
A total of 861 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Monday, 7 December 2015, this was higher than the 308 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 321 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 861
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (321)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (120)
Where the complaints came from
The 861 complaints recorded on 7 December 2015 were submitted from 622 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 120 | 13.9% |
| Florida | 64 | 7.4% |
| Texas | 57 | 6.6% |
| Virginia | 46 | 5.3% |
| New York | 44 | 5.1% |
| Illinois | 42 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 32 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 28 | 3.3% |
| Washington | 27 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 362 | 42.0% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 86 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 628 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 628 | 72.9% |
| Internet | 118 | 13.7% |
| TV | 93 | 10.8% |
| Radio | 20 | 2.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
628 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 321 | 51.1% |
| Robocalls | 129 | 20.5% |
| Billing | 62 | 9.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 34 | 5.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 16 | 2.5% |
| Equipment | 16 | 2.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 15 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 14 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 2.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
118 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 30.5% |
| Availability | 20 | 16.9% |
| Speed | 18 | 15.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 17 | 14.4% |
| Interference | 13 | 11.0% |
| Privacy | 11 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.5% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 38.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 16.1% |
| Equipment | 12 | 12.9% |
| Availability | 11 | 11.8% |
| Indecency | 10 | 10.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.2% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Loud Commercials and Equipment among the most 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.