FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 February 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1082 consumer complaints on Friday, 5 February 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1176 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 the most frequently reported issue, with 409 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1082
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (409)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (112)
Where the complaints came from
The 1082 complaints recorded on 5 February 2016 were submitted from 754 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant 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 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 | 112 | 10.4% |
| New York | 85 | 7.9% |
| Florida | 84 | 7.8% |
| Texas | 75 | 6.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 63 | 5.8% |
| Georgia | 46 | 4.3% |
| Washington | 38 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.3% |
| New Jersey | 35 | 3.2% |
| Tennessee | 33 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 474 | 43.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 806 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 806 | 74.5% |
| Internet | 145 | 13.4% |
| TV | 113 | 10.4% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
806 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 409 | 50.7% |
| Robocalls | 202 | 25.1% |
| Billing | 65 | 8.1% |
| Privacy | 33 | 4.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 21 | 2.6% |
| Equipment | 18 | 2.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 17 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 15 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
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
145 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 35.9% |
| Availability | 23 | 15.9% |
| Speed | 23 | 15.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 14 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 13 | 9.0% |
| Privacy | 13 | 9.0% |
| Interference | 7 | 4.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
113 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 53.1% |
| Availability | 15 | 13.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 13.3% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.0% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.2% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
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.