FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 March 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1072 consumer complaints on 4 March 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1100 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1072
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (423)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (137)
Where the complaints came from
Across 704 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 1072 complaints were recorded on 4 March 2016. 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 | 137 | 12.8% |
| Texas | 72 | 6.7% |
| Florida | 68 | 6.3% |
| New York | 65 | 6.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 49 | 4.6% |
| Illinois | 43 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 42 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 41 | 3.8% |
| Maryland | 40 | 3.7% |
| New Jersey | 39 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 471 | 43.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 837 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 837 | 78.1% |
| Internet | 116 | 10.8% |
| TV | 89 | 8.3% |
| Radio | 24 | 2.2% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
837 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 423 | 50.5% |
| Robocalls | 219 | 26.2% |
| Billing | 67 | 8.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 28 | 3.3% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 22 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 21 | 2.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 2.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| 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
116 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 36.2% |
| Availability | 27 | 23.3% |
| Privacy | 13 | 11.2% |
| Speed | 12 | 10.3% |
| Interference | 10 | 8.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Privacy.
TV complaints
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 27.0% |
| Availability | 21 | 23.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 14.6% |
| Indecency | 11 | 12.4% |
| Interference | 11 | 12.4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 7.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials.
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.