FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 February 2016
Introduction
On 17 February 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1330 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1256 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than 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
- 1330
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (457)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (177)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1330 complaints were recorded on 17 February 2016, with reports originating from 866 cities in 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location 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 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 | 177 | 13.3% |
| Florida | 110 | 8.3% |
| Georgia | 93 | 7.0% |
| New York | 79 | 5.9% |
| Texas | 63 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 57 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 44 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 42 | 3.2% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 3.2% |
| Washington | 37 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 583 | 43.8% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 975 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 975 | 73.3% |
| TV | 182 | 13.7% |
| Internet | 150 | 11.3% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
975 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 457 | 46.9% |
| Robocalls | 241 | 24.7% |
| Billing | 105 | 10.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 36 | 3.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 34 | 3.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 28 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 26 | 2.7% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 15 | 1.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 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.
TV complaints
182 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 67 | 36.8% |
| Availability | 65 | 35.7% |
| Equipment | 16 | 8.8% |
| Indecency | 14 | 7.7% |
| Interference | 13 | 7.1% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 1.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
150 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 36 | 24.0% |
| Speed | 23 | 15.3% |
| Privacy | 16 | 10.7% |
| Equipment | 10 | 6.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 9 | 6.0% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.0% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed 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.