FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 January 2016
Introduction
On Thursday, 21 January 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1148 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1192 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 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 437 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1148
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (437)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (142)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1148 complaints were recorded on 21 January 2016, with reports originating from 771 cities in 51 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 142 | 12.4% |
| Florida | 97 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 95 | 8.3% |
| New York | 75 | 6.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 59 | 5.1% |
| Illinois | 56 | 4.9% |
| Georgia | 40 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 38 | 3.3% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.3% |
| Tennessee | 32 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 476 | 41.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 89 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 was the most reported category, with 841 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 841 | 73.3% |
| Internet | 184 | 16.0% |
| TV | 104 | 9.1% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
841 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 437 | 52.0% |
| Robocalls | 217 | 25.8% |
| Billing | 76 | 9.0% |
| Privacy | 25 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| 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
184 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 75 | 40.8% |
| Availability | 24 | 13.0% |
| Speed | 24 | 13.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 21 | 11.4% |
| Privacy | 19 | 10.3% |
| Interference | 15 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 6 | 3.3% |
Billing accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
104 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 54.8% |
| Availability | 16 | 15.4% |
| Equipment | 15 | 14.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 7.7% |
| Indecency | 3 | 2.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.9% |
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.