FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 December 2015
Introduction
A total of 1390 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, 16 December 2015, this represented an increase from the 1128 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of 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
- 1390
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (383)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (155)
Where the complaints came from
The 1390 complaints recorded on 16 December 2015 originated from 873 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 155 | 11.2% |
| Florida | 116 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 106 | 7.6% |
| Georgia | 81 | 5.8% |
| New York | 63 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 63 | 4.5% |
| Tennessee | 56 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 48 | 3.5% |
| Washington | 46 | 3.3% |
| New Jersey | 41 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 615 | 44.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 787 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 787 | 56.6% |
| Internet | 495 | 35.6% |
| TV | 85 | 6.1% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
787 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 56.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 383 | 48.7% |
| Robocalls | 204 | 25.9% |
| Billing | 80 | 10.2% |
| Equipment | 32 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 25 | 3.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 2.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 15 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
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
495 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 35.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 243 | 49.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 131 | 26.5% |
| Speed | 47 | 9.5% |
| Availability | 34 | 6.9% |
| Interference | 17 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 17 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 6 | 1.2% |
Billing and Open Internet/Net Neutrality accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
85 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 36.5% |
| Availability | 19 | 22.4% |
| Equipment | 12 | 14.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 10.6% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.7% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.5% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability 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.