FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 January 2016
Introduction
A total of 1117 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 6 January 2016, this was higher than the 1097 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1117
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (362)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (157)
Where the complaints came from
The 1117 complaints recorded on 6 January 2016 originated from 735 cities across 51 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 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 | 157 | 14.1% |
| Florida | 84 | 7.5% |
| Texas | 83 | 7.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 81 | 7.3% |
| New York | 63 | 5.6% |
| Georgia | 55 | 4.9% |
| Virginia | 42 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 41 | 3.7% |
| Michigan | 36 | 3.2% |
| Maryland | 30 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 445 | 39.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 822 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 822 | 73.6% |
| Internet | 177 | 15.8% |
| TV | 108 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 8 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
822 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 362 | 44.0% |
| Robocalls | 224 | 27.3% |
| Billing | 91 | 11.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 40 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 21 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 17 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 12 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| 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
177 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 72 | 40.7% |
| Availability | 28 | 15.8% |
| Speed | 24 | 13.6% |
| Privacy | 19 | 10.7% |
| Interference | 16 | 9.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 6.2% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.0% |
Billing accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
108 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Loud Commercials | 36 | 33.3% |
| Billing | 34 | 31.5% |
| Availability | 11 | 10.2% |
| Equipment | 10 | 9.3% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.8% |
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.