FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 January 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 478 consumer complaints on 16 January 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1035 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 48 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
- 478
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (148)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (59)
Where the complaints came from
The 478 complaints recorded on 16 January 2016 were submitted from 379 cities across 48 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 59 | 12.3% |
| Texas | 42 | 8.8% |
| Florida | 36 | 7.5% |
| Washington | 25 | 5.2% |
| Georgia | 22 | 4.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 20 | 4.2% |
| New Jersey | 19 | 4.0% |
| New York | 18 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 17 | 3.6% |
| Maryland | 16 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 204 | 42.7% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 319 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 319 | 66.7% |
| Internet | 88 | 18.4% |
| TV | 62 | 13.0% |
| Radio | 7 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
319 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 148 | 46.4% |
| Robocalls | 83 | 26.0% |
| Billing | 31 | 9.7% |
| Privacy | 21 | 6.6% |
| Equipment | 10 | 3.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.6% |
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
88 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 29.5% |
| Speed | 16 | 18.2% |
| Availability | 15 | 17.0% |
| Privacy | 10 | 11.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 9 | 10.2% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.5% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
62 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 38.7% |
| Availability | 19 | 30.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 14.5% |
| Indecency | 3 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 3.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.