FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 December 2015
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1128 consumer complaints on Tuesday, 15 December 2015 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 869 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 48 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1128
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (374)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (123)
Where the complaints came from
Across 769 cities in 48 states and territories, a total of 1128 complaints were recorded on 15 December 2015. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 123 | 10.9% |
| Florida | 105 | 9.3% |
| New York | 77 | 6.8% |
| Texas | 66 | 5.9% |
| Georgia | 60 | 5.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 56 | 5.0% |
| Illinois | 40 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 40 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 37 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 479 | 42.5% |
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 820 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 820 | 72.7% |
| Internet | 164 | 14.5% |
| TV | 122 | 10.8% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 7 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
820 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 374 | 45.6% |
| Robocalls | 195 | 23.8% |
| Billing | 102 | 12.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 46 | 5.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 22 | 2.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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
164 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 36.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 28 | 17.1% |
| Availability | 24 | 14.6% |
| Privacy | 24 | 14.6% |
| Interference | 11 | 6.7% |
| Speed | 9 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability.
TV complaints
122 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 45.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 24 | 19.7% |
| Availability | 18 | 14.8% |
| Equipment | 10 | 8.2% |
| Indecency | 6 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing 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.