FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 January 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1067 consumer complaints on 19 January 2016 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 737 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 396 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1067
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (396)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (140)
Where the complaints came from
The 1067 complaints recorded on 19 January 2016 originated from 721 cities across 52 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 shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 140 | 13.1% |
| Florida | 90 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 77 | 7.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 69 | 6.5% |
| New York | 65 | 6.1% |
| Georgia | 46 | 4.3% |
| Virginia | 36 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 34 | 3.2% |
| North Carolina | 34 | 3.2% |
| Tennessee | 34 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 439 | 41.1% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 96 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 787 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 787 | 73.8% |
| Internet | 148 | 13.9% |
| TV | 109 | 10.2% |
| Radio | 19 | 1.8% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
787 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 396 | 50.3% |
| Robocalls | 184 | 23.4% |
| Billing | 91 | 11.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 29 | 3.7% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 16 | 2.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
148 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 34.5% |
| Availability | 25 | 16.9% |
| Speed | 23 | 15.5% |
| Interference | 15 | 10.1% |
| Privacy | 14 | 9.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 40.4% |
| Availability | 31 | 28.4% |
| Equipment | 13 | 11.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 7.3% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
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.