FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 December 2015
Introduction
On 22 December 2015, 1098 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 762 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1098
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (344)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (149)
Where the complaints came from
On 22 December 2015, the 1098 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 733 cities across 50 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 149 | 13.6% |
| Florida | 120 | 10.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 77 | 7.0% |
| Texas | 63 | 5.7% |
| New York | 59 | 5.4% |
| Illinois | 50 | 4.6% |
| Georgia | 45 | 4.1% |
| Virginia | 38 | 3.5% |
| Tennessee | 35 | 3.2% |
| Michigan | 29 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 428 | 39.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 778 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 778 | 70.9% |
| Internet | 200 | 18.2% |
| TV | 99 | 9.0% |
| Radio | 19 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
778 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 344 | 44.2% |
| Robocalls | 173 | 22.2% |
| Billing | 123 | 15.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 34 | 4.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 25 | 3.2% |
| Equipment | 18 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 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
200 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 73 | 36.5% |
| Availability | 53 | 26.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 20 | 10.0% |
| Privacy | 19 | 9.5% |
| Speed | 19 | 9.5% |
| Interference | 11 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 5 | 2.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 49.5% |
| Equipment | 16 | 16.2% |
| Availability | 12 | 12.1% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.1% |
| Indecency | 7 | 7.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 7.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Equipment, 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.