FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 February 2016
Introduction
On 29 February 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1065 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 483 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1065
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (314)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (114)
Where the complaints came from
The 1065 complaints recorded on 29 February 2016 were submitted from 723 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. 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 | 114 | 10.7% |
| Florida | 91 | 8.5% |
| Texas | 65 | 6.1% |
| Illinois | 52 | 4.9% |
| Georgia | 51 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 49 | 4.6% |
| New York | 47 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 38 | 3.6% |
| Colorado | 35 | 3.3% |
| Massachusetts | 33 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 487 | 45.7% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 78 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 677 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 677 | 63.6% |
| Internet | 259 | 24.3% |
| TV | 98 | 9.2% |
| Radio | 26 | 2.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
677 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 63.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 314 | 46.4% |
| Robocalls | 175 | 25.8% |
| Billing | 80 | 11.8% |
| Equipment | 24 | 3.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 24 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 19 | 2.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 2.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 11 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| 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.
Internet complaints
259 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 24.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 144 | 55.6% |
| Billing | 47 | 18.1% |
| Availability | 22 | 8.5% |
| Speed | 17 | 6.6% |
| Privacy | 14 | 5.4% |
| Interference | 9 | 3.5% |
| Equipment | 6 | 2.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 41.8% |
| Availability | 18 | 18.4% |
| Indecency | 11 | 11.2% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 7 | 7.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.0% |
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.