FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 December 2015
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1172 consumer complaints on 10 December 2015 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1108 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 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
- 1172
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (424)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (159)
Where the complaints came from
The 1172 complaints recorded on 10 December 2015 originated from 748 cities across 50 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 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 | 159 | 13.6% |
| Florida | 102 | 8.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 102 | 8.7% |
| New York | 68 | 5.8% |
| Texas | 68 | 5.8% |
| Illinois | 41 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 38 | 3.2% |
| Washington | 35 | 3.0% |
| Colorado | 32 | 2.7% |
| Arizona | 30 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 485 | 41.4% |
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 884 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 884 | 75.4% |
| Internet | 153 | 13.1% |
| TV | 110 | 9.4% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
884 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 424 | 48.0% |
| Robocalls | 232 | 26.2% |
| Billing | 76 | 8.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 31 | 3.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 31 | 3.5% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 20 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 16 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 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
153 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 34.0% |
| Availability | 25 | 16.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 22 | 14.4% |
| Speed | 21 | 13.7% |
| Privacy | 18 | 11.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.2% |
| Interference | 7 | 4.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
TV complaints
110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Loud Commercials | 39 | 35.5% |
| Billing | 35 | 31.8% |
| Equipment | 12 | 10.9% |
| Availability | 11 | 10.0% |
| Interference | 9 | 8.2% |
| Indecency | 3 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Loud Commercials and Billing, 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.