FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 February 2016
Introduction
On Thursday, 25 February 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1140 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1265 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 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
- 1140
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (444)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (117)
Where the complaints came from
The 1140 complaints recorded on 25 February 2016 originated from 782 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 117 | 10.3% |
| Florida | 95 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 77 | 6.8% |
| New York | 70 | 6.1% |
| Georgia | 54 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 44 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 42 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.4% |
| Maryland | 38 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 513 | 45.0% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 897 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 897 | 78.7% |
| Internet | 135 | 11.8% |
| TV | 81 | 7.1% |
| Radio | 22 | 1.9% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
897 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 444 | 49.5% |
| Robocalls | 240 | 26.8% |
| Billing | 82 | 9.1% |
| Privacy | 27 | 3.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 26 | 2.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 26 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 14 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 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.
Internet complaints
135 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 28.9% |
| Availability | 32 | 23.7% |
| Privacy | 22 | 16.3% |
| Speed | 18 | 13.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 9.6% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Privacy.
TV complaints
81 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 48.1% |
| Availability | 17 | 21.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 16.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 7.4% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.5% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.2% |
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.