FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 March 2016
Introduction
On Saturday, 5 March 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 516 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1072 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 44 states and territories, with California recording the largest share of reports at 79 complaints. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 516
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (179)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (79)
Where the complaints came from
Across 389 cities in 44 states and territories, a total of 516 complaints were recorded on 5 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 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 | 79 | 15.3% |
| Florida | 38 | 7.4% |
| Texas | 35 | 6.8% |
| Illinois | 28 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 25 | 4.8% |
| Ohio | 24 | 4.7% |
| Maryland | 23 | 4.5% |
| Georgia | 20 | 3.9% |
| Washington | 18 | 3.5% |
| New York | 16 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 210 | 40.7% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 340 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 340 | 65.9% |
| Internet | 101 | 19.6% |
| TV | 65 | 12.6% |
| Radio | 8 | 1.6% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
340 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 65.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 179 | 52.6% |
| Robocalls | 91 | 26.8% |
| Billing | 27 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 9 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 9 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 2.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 1.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 4 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.6% |
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
101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 33.7% |
| Availability | 18 | 17.8% |
| Speed | 16 | 15.8% |
| Privacy | 15 | 14.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 3.0% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
65 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 46.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 13.8% |
| Availability | 8 | 12.3% |
| Equipment | 6 | 9.2% |
| Indecency | 5 | 7.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 4.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
Billing and Loud Commercials 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.