FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 January 2016
Introduction
On 27 January 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1154 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1134 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 436 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1154
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (436)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (117)
Where the complaints came from
Across 778 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1154 complaints were recorded on 27 January 2016. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 117 | 10.1% |
| Florida | 101 | 8.8% |
| Texas | 90 | 7.8% |
| New York | 75 | 6.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 57 | 4.9% |
| Georgia | 56 | 4.9% |
| Illinois | 52 | 4.5% |
| Virginia | 44 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 39 | 3.4% |
| Washington | 35 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 487 | 42.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 855 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 855 | 74.1% |
| Internet | 192 | 16.6% |
| TV | 94 | 8.1% |
| Radio | 10 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
855 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 436 | 51.0% |
| Robocalls | 208 | 24.3% |
| Billing | 69 | 8.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 29 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 26 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 25 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 2.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 21 | 2.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 12 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| 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 were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
192 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 31.3% |
| Availability | 33 | 17.2% |
| Speed | 31 | 16.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 27 | 14.1% |
| Privacy | 25 | 13.0% |
| Interference | 10 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 6 | 3.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
94 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 47.9% |
| Availability | 17 | 18.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 12.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 9.6% |
| Indecency | 6 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.