FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 February 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 297 consumer complaints on 7 February 2016 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 516 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 47 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Billing was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 297
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Billing (83)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (36)
Where the complaints came from
The 297 complaints recorded on 7 February 2016 originated from 262 cities across 47 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 36 | 12.1% |
| Florida | 22 | 7.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 5.4% |
| Virginia | 15 | 5.1% |
| New York | 14 | 4.7% |
| Arizona | 13 | 4.4% |
| Massachusetts | 13 | 4.4% |
| North Carolina | 13 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 10 | 3.4% |
| Maryland | 10 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 135 | 45.5% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 30 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 133 complaints. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 89 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 133 | 44.8% |
| Internet | 89 | 30.0% |
| TV | 65 | 21.9% |
| Radio | 8 | 2.7% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
133 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 44.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 45 | 33.8% |
| Billing | 30 | 22.6% |
| Robocalls | 27 | 20.3% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.8% |
| Privacy | 7 | 5.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 5 | 3.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 3.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.8% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), Billing and Robocalls among the most common.
Internet complaints
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 30.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 30.3% |
| Availability | 16 | 18.0% |
| Speed | 15 | 16.9% |
| Privacy | 12 | 13.5% |
| Interference | 7 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 6.7% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
65 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 40.0% |
| Availability | 11 | 16.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 16.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 12.3% |
| Indecency | 4 | 6.2% |
| Interference | 4 | 6.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
Billing was the most commonly reported issue in this category, while other issues occurred 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.