FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 February 2016
Introduction
On 13 February 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 574 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1652 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 47 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 206 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 574
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (206)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (80)
Where the complaints came from
Across 430 cities in 47 states and territories, a total of 574 complaints were recorded on 13 February 2016. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 80 | 13.9% |
| Florida | 44 | 7.7% |
| Texas | 39 | 6.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 6.4% |
| New York | 36 | 6.3% |
| Georgia | 28 | 4.9% |
| Illinois | 25 | 4.4% |
| Michigan | 23 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 20 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 18 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 224 | 39.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 383 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 383 | 66.7% |
| Internet | 107 | 18.6% |
| TV | 72 | 12.5% |
| Radio | 8 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
383 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 206 | 53.8% |
| Robocalls | 95 | 24.8% |
| Billing | 34 | 8.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 11 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 9 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 1.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 3 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.5% |
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
107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 33.6% |
| Speed | 18 | 16.8% |
| Availability | 16 | 15.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 14 | 13.1% |
| Privacy | 13 | 12.1% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
72 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 43.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 18.1% |
| Availability | 10 | 13.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 11.1% |
| Interference | 5 | 6.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 4.2% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.8% |
Billing and Loud Commercials 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.