FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 December 2015
Introduction
A total of 1114 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 17 December 2015, this was lower than the 1390 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) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1114
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (399)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (114)
Where the complaints came from
The 1114 complaints recorded on 17 December 2015 originated from 747 cities across 50 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory 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 | 114 | 10.2% |
| Florida | 91 | 8.2% |
| Georgia | 76 | 6.8% |
| Texas | 72 | 6.5% |
| New York | 68 | 6.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 4.6% |
| Tennessee | 42 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.5% |
| Washington | 38 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 37 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 486 | 43.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 796 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 796 | 71.5% |
| Internet | 230 | 20.6% |
| TV | 66 | 5.9% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 6 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
796 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 399 | 50.1% |
| Robocalls | 209 | 26.3% |
| Billing | 77 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 28 | 3.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 21 | 2.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
230 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 99 | 43.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 52 | 22.6% |
| Availability | 30 | 13.0% |
| Privacy | 20 | 8.7% |
| Speed | 17 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 9 | 3.9% |
| Equipment | 3 | 1.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Open Internet/Net Neutrality, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
66 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 42.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 13.6% |
| Equipment | 8 | 12.1% |
| Availability | 7 | 10.6% |
| Indecency | 7 | 10.6% |
| Interference | 7 | 10.6% |
Billing accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.