FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 February 2016
Introduction
On 15 February 2016, 757 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 285 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 47 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 757
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (257)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (78)
Where the complaints came from
The 757 complaints recorded on 15 February 2016 were submitted from 559 cities across 47 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 78 | 10.3% |
| Florida | 77 | 10.2% |
| Texas | 47 | 6.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 5.3% |
| New Jersey | 33 | 4.4% |
| Georgia | 32 | 4.2% |
| Virginia | 32 | 4.2% |
| Michigan | 30 | 4.0% |
| New York | 30 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 29 | 3.8% |
| Other states and territories | 329 | 43.5% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 506 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 506 | 66.8% |
| Internet | 137 | 18.1% |
| TV | 97 | 12.8% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
506 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 257 | 50.8% |
| Robocalls | 132 | 26.1% |
| Billing | 39 | 7.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 14 | 2.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 12 | 2.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
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
137 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 31.4% |
| Availability | 28 | 20.4% |
| Speed | 27 | 19.7% |
| Privacy | 14 | 10.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.6% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 29.9% |
| Availability | 21 | 21.6% |
| Equipment | 20 | 20.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 9.3% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.2% |
| Indecency | 7 | 7.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Equipment 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.