FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 January 2016
Introduction
On 9 January 2016, 522 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1055 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 44 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 522
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (165)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (74)
Where the complaints came from
The 522 complaints recorded on 9 January 2016 originated from 403 cities across 44 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 | 74 | 14.2% |
| Florida | 45 | 8.6% |
| Texas | 27 | 5.2% |
| Georgia | 25 | 4.8% |
| Illinois | 23 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 23 | 4.4% |
| New York | 20 | 3.8% |
| Tennessee | 19 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 18 | 3.4% |
| Washington | 18 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 230 | 44.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 314 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 314 | 60.2% |
| Internet | 110 | 21.1% |
| TV | 87 | 16.7% |
| Radio | 9 | 1.7% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
314 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 60.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 165 | 52.5% |
| Robocalls | 61 | 19.4% |
| Billing | 35 | 11.1% |
| Privacy | 16 | 5.1% |
| Equipment | 12 | 3.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 1.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.3% |
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
110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 27.3% |
| Speed | 27 | 24.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 17 | 15.5% |
| Availability | 14 | 12.7% |
| Privacy | 9 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.5% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
TV complaints
87 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 26 | 29.9% |
| Billing | 26 | 29.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 13.8% |
| Indecency | 11 | 12.6% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9.2% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing and Loud Commercials.
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.