FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 February 2016
Introduction
On 16 February 2016, 1256 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 757 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was the most frequently reported issue, with 450 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1256
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (450)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (129)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1256 complaints were recorded on 16 February 2016, with reports originating from 793 cities in 50 states and territories. 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 | 129 | 10.3% |
| Georgia | 113 | 9.0% |
| New York | 80 | 6.4% |
| Texas | 75 | 6.0% |
| Florida | 73 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 59 | 4.7% |
| South Carolina | 59 | 4.7% |
| Virginia | 51 | 4.1% |
| Maryland | 42 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 41 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 532 | 42.4% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 873 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 873 | 69.5% |
| TV | 211 | 16.8% |
| Internet | 156 | 12.4% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
873 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 450 | 51.5% |
| Robocalls | 207 | 23.7% |
| Billing | 71 | 8.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 47 | 5.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 2.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 22 | 2.5% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 18 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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.
TV complaints
211 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 117 | 55.5% |
| Billing | 49 | 23.2% |
| Equipment | 14 | 6.6% |
| Interference | 12 | 5.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 3.3% |
| Indecency | 6 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 4 | 1.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
156 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 30.1% |
| Availability | 36 | 23.1% |
| Speed | 26 | 16.7% |
| Privacy | 18 | 11.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 8.3% |
| Interference | 9 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.5% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
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.