FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 January 2016
Introduction
On Sunday, 17 January 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 308 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 478 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 42 states and territories, with Florida slightly ahead of the other locations. Billing was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 308
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Billing (86)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (36)
Where the complaints came from
The 308 complaints recorded on 17 January 2016 originated from 262 cities across 42 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 36 | 11.7% |
| California | 35 | 11.4% |
| New York | 21 | 6.8% |
| Georgia | 17 | 5.5% |
| Texas | 17 | 5.5% |
| Illinois | 16 | 5.2% |
| Washington | 16 | 5.2% |
| New Jersey | 13 | 4.2% |
| Arizona | 10 | 3.2% |
| Maryland | 10 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 117 | 38.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 120 reports. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 93 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 120 | 39.0% |
| Internet | 93 | 30.2% |
| TV | 82 | 26.6% |
| Radio | 9 | 2.9% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.6% |
Phone complaints
120 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 39.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 51 | 42.5% |
| Billing | 29 | 24.2% |
| Robocalls | 17 | 14.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 5.8% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 2.5% |
| Equipment | 2 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 30.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 31.2% |
| Speed | 20 | 21.5% |
| Availability | 14 | 15.1% |
| Interference | 10 | 10.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 10 | 10.8% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.4% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 26.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 32.9% |
| Availability | 21 | 25.6% |
| Equipment | 9 | 11.0% |
| Indecency | 9 | 11.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 11.0% |
| Interference | 6 | 7.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Equipment.
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.