FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 February 2016
Introduction
On Thursday, 18 February 2016, 1226 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1330 complaints recorded the day before. 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
- 1226
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (446)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (150)
Where the complaints came from
The 1226 complaints recorded on 18 February 2016 originated from 808 cities across 51 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 150 | 12.2% |
| Florida | 94 | 7.7% |
| New York | 81 | 6.6% |
| Texas | 81 | 6.6% |
| North Carolina | 59 | 4.8% |
| Georgia | 53 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 4.2% |
| Virginia | 46 | 3.8% |
| Tennessee | 38 | 3.1% |
| Michigan | 36 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 536 | 43.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 926 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 926 | 75.5% |
| Internet | 154 | 12.6% |
| TV | 129 | 10.5% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
926 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 446 | 48.2% |
| Robocalls | 239 | 25.8% |
| Billing | 97 | 10.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 28 | 3.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 23 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 19 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.3% |
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
154 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 35.7% |
| Availability | 28 | 18.2% |
| Privacy | 24 | 15.6% |
| Speed | 15 | 9.7% |
| Interference | 12 | 7.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 12 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.2% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Privacy.
TV complaints
129 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 61 | 47.3% |
| Availability | 29 | 22.5% |
| Equipment | 18 | 14.0% |
| Indecency | 10 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
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.