FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 February 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1218 consumer complaints on Wednesday, 10 February 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1247 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1218
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (446)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (143)
Where the complaints came from
Across 815 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 1218 complaints were recorded on 10 February 2016. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 143 | 11.7% |
| Florida | 106 | 8.7% |
| New York | 74 | 6.1% |
| Texas | 68 | 5.6% |
| Illinois | 57 | 4.7% |
| Virginia | 55 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 52 | 4.3% |
| North Carolina | 47 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 46 | 3.8% |
| Washington | 45 | 3.7% |
| Other states and territories | 523 | 42.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 904 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 904 | 74.2% |
| Internet | 179 | 14.7% |
| TV | 117 | 9.6% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
904 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 446 | 49.3% |
| Robocalls | 237 | 26.2% |
| Billing | 84 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 30 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 27 | 3.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 24 | 2.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
| 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
179 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 30.7% |
| Speed | 31 | 17.3% |
| Availability | 25 | 14.0% |
| Privacy | 21 | 11.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 19 | 10.6% |
| Equipment | 15 | 8.4% |
| Interference | 13 | 7.3% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 51.3% |
| Availability | 14 | 12.0% |
| Indecency | 13 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 9.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 9.4% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
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.