FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 January 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 545 consumer complaints on Saturday, 30 January 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1141 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 48 states and territories, with California recording the largest share of reports at 72 complaints. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 545
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (161)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (72)
Where the complaints came from
The 545 complaints recorded on 30 January 2016 originated from 427 cities across 48 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 72 | 13.2% |
| Florida | 36 | 6.6% |
| New York | 35 | 6.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 28 | 5.1% |
| Texas | 28 | 5.1% |
| Georgia | 25 | 4.6% |
| Illinois | 22 | 4.0% |
| New Jersey | 22 | 4.0% |
| Arizona | 20 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 19 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 237 | 43.5% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 4 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 337 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 337 | 61.8% |
| Internet | 127 | 23.3% |
| TV | 77 | 14.1% |
| Radio | 4 | 0.7% |
Phone complaints
337 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 61.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 161 | 47.8% |
| Robocalls | 98 | 29.1% |
| Billing | 32 | 9.5% |
| Privacy | 12 | 3.6% |
| Equipment | 10 | 3.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
127 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 31.5% |
| Speed | 26 | 20.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 22 | 17.3% |
| Availability | 19 | 15.0% |
| Privacy | 8 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 7 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.9% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
TV complaints
77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 39.0% |
| Indecency | 14 | 18.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 15.6% |
| Availability | 9 | 11.7% |
| Equipment | 6 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Indecency and Loud Commercials.
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.