FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 March 2016
Introduction
On Wednesday, 2 March 2016, 1127 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1049 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1127
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (426)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (134)
Where the complaints came from
Across 757 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1127 complaints were recorded on 2 March 2016. 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 | 134 | 11.9% |
| Florida | 95 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 71 | 6.3% |
| New York | 62 | 5.5% |
| Illinois | 59 | 5.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 55 | 4.9% |
| Washington | 52 | 4.6% |
| New Jersey | 39 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 37 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 34 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 487 | 43.2% |
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 868 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 868 | 77.0% |
| Internet | 113 | 10.0% |
| TV | 103 | 9.1% |
| Radio | 39 | 3.5% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
868 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 426 | 49.1% |
| Robocalls | 222 | 25.6% |
| Billing | 75 | 8.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 31 | 3.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 3.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 27 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 26 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.1% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
113 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 37 | 32.7% |
| Availability | 28 | 24.8% |
| Speed | 20 | 17.7% |
| Privacy | 8 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.2% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 5.3% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 53.4% |
| Availability | 15 | 14.6% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.7% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 19 | 48.7% |
| Interference | 10 | 25.6% |
| Indecency | 4 | 10.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 7.7% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 5.1% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.6% |
Availability and Interference accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.