FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 February 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1292 consumer complaints on 23 February 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 975 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1292
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (481)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (132)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1292 complaints were recorded on 23 February 2016, with reports originating from 858 cities in 51 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 132 | 10.2% |
| Florida | 123 | 9.5% |
| Texas | 99 | 7.7% |
| New York | 79 | 6.1% |
| Georgia | 65 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 63 | 4.9% |
| Ohio | 54 | 4.2% |
| Colorado | 46 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 41 | 3.2% |
| Maryland | 39 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 550 | 42.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 982 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 982 | 76.0% |
| Internet | 169 | 13.1% |
| TV | 117 | 9.1% |
| Radio | 22 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
982 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 481 | 49.0% |
| Robocalls | 269 | 27.4% |
| Billing | 97 | 9.9% |
| Privacy | 30 | 3.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 24 | 2.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.2% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.4% |
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
169 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 54 | 32.0% |
| Availability | 40 | 23.7% |
| Speed | 32 | 18.9% |
| Privacy | 14 | 8.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 7.7% |
| Interference | 9 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.1% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 62 | 53.0% |
| Availability | 22 | 18.8% |
| Equipment | 10 | 8.5% |
| Indecency | 9 | 7.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.