FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 January 2016
Introduction
A total of 343 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 31 January 2016, this was lower than the 545 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 44 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
- 343
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (84)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (42)
Where the complaints came from
The 343 complaints recorded on 31 January 2016 originated from 263 cities across 44 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 42 | 12.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 26 | 7.6% |
| Florida | 25 | 7.3% |
| Texas | 23 | 6.7% |
| Georgia | 20 | 5.8% |
| New York | 20 | 5.8% |
| Arizona | 15 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 14 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 12 | 3.5% |
| Washington | 12 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 134 | 39.1% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 33 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 180 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 180 | 52.5% |
| Internet | 92 | 26.8% |
| TV | 62 | 18.1% |
| Radio | 8 | 2.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
180 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 52.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 84 | 46.7% |
| Robocalls | 29 | 16.1% |
| Billing | 23 | 12.8% |
| Equipment | 13 | 7.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 4.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 3.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 2.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.1% |
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
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 26.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 34.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 16 | 17.4% |
| Speed | 15 | 16.3% |
| Availability | 12 | 13.0% |
| Privacy | 7 | 7.6% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.3% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
62 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 32.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 22.6% |
| Availability | 9 | 14.5% |
| Equipment | 9 | 14.5% |
| Indecency | 8 | 12.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.2% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Loud Commercials and Availability among the most 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.