FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 January 2016
Introduction
On 11 January 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 901 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 327 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 48 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 901
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (295)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (88)
Where the complaints came from
The 901 complaints recorded on 11 January 2016 were submitted from 649 cities across 48 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 88 | 9.8% |
| Florida | 82 | 9.1% |
| Texas | 62 | 6.9% |
| New York | 55 | 6.1% |
| Georgia | 34 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 33 | 3.7% |
| Maryland | 30 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 30 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 29 | 3.2% |
| Michigan | 28 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 428 | 47.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 647 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 647 | 71.8% |
| Internet | 149 | 16.5% |
| TV | 90 | 10.0% |
| Radio | 10 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
647 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 295 | 45.6% |
| Robocalls | 133 | 20.6% |
| Billing | 83 | 12.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 38 | 5.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 4.2% |
| Equipment | 20 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 18 | 2.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 14 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
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
149 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 38.9% |
| Availability | 23 | 15.4% |
| Speed | 21 | 14.1% |
| Privacy | 19 | 12.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 14 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 10 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 4 | 2.7% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 50.0% |
| Availability | 13 | 14.4% |
| Indecency | 9 | 10.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 10.0% |
| Interference | 7 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, 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.