FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 January 2016
Introduction
On Wednesday, 20 January 2016, 1192 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1067 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 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
- 1192
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (368)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (147)
Where the complaints came from
The 1192 complaints recorded on 20 January 2016 originated from 792 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 147 | 12.3% |
| Florida | 102 | 8.6% |
| Texas | 92 | 7.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 74 | 6.2% |
| New York | 63 | 5.3% |
| Georgia | 48 | 4.0% |
| Maryland | 42 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 37 | 3.1% |
| Michigan | 37 | 3.1% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 508 | 42.6% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 98 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 853 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 853 | 71.6% |
| Internet | 175 | 14.7% |
| TV | 141 | 11.8% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
853 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 368 | 43.1% |
| Robocalls | 212 | 24.9% |
| Billing | 123 | 14.4% |
| Equipment | 34 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 33 | 3.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 2.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 19 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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
175 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 73 | 41.7% |
| Availability | 31 | 17.7% |
| Speed | 26 | 14.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 19 | 10.9% |
| Privacy | 13 | 7.4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.0% |
| Interference | 6 | 3.4% |
Billing represented the largest share of complaints recorded in this category, with lower volumes reported across the remaining issues.
TV complaints
141 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 65 | 46.1% |
| Availability | 27 | 19.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 21 | 14.9% |
| Indecency | 12 | 8.5% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 7 | 5.0% |
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.