FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 January 2016
Introduction
A total of 1093 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 7 January 2016, this was lower than the 1117 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 53 states and territories, with Texas recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1093
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (385)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (105)
Where the complaints came from
Across 740 cities in 53 states and territories, a total of 1093 complaints were recorded on 7 January 2016. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 105 | 9.6% |
| California | 101 | 9.2% |
| Florida | 93 | 8.5% |
| New York | 81 | 7.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 49 | 4.5% |
| Georgia | 40 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 40 | 3.7% |
| New Jersey | 33 | 3.0% |
| Tennessee | 32 | 2.9% |
| Illinois | 31 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 487 | 44.6% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 819 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 819 | 74.9% |
| Internet | 147 | 13.4% |
| TV | 103 | 9.4% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.8% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
819 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 385 | 47.0% |
| Robocalls | 211 | 25.8% |
| Billing | 66 | 8.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 45 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 29 | 3.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 26 | 3.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 22 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 19 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
147 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 28.6% |
| Speed | 34 | 23.1% |
| Availability | 27 | 18.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 17 | 11.6% |
| Privacy | 14 | 9.5% |
| Interference | 9 | 6.1% |
| Equipment | 4 | 2.7% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 42.7% |
| Availability | 24 | 23.3% |
| Equipment | 13 | 12.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 10.7% |
| Indecency | 8 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less 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.