FCC Consumer Complaints – 8 March 2016
Introduction
A total of 1228 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 8 March 2016, complaint volume increased from 909 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 50 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
- 1228
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (428)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (162)
Where the complaints came from
The 1228 complaints recorded on 8 March 2016 were submitted from 813 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 162 | 13.2% |
| Florida | 102 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 96 | 7.8% |
| New York | 57 | 4.6% |
| Illinois | 51 | 4.2% |
| Virginia | 48 | 3.9% |
| Maryland | 44 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 43 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 43 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 38 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 536 | 43.6% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 103 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 908 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 908 | 73.9% |
| Internet | 173 | 14.1% |
| TV | 117 | 9.5% |
| Radio | 24 | 2.0% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
908 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 428 | 47.1% |
| Robocalls | 237 | 26.1% |
| Billing | 111 | 12.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 24 | 2.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 23 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 23 | 2.5% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| 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
173 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 62 | 35.8% |
| Availability | 41 | 23.7% |
| Privacy | 23 | 13.3% |
| Speed | 15 | 8.7% |
| Interference | 12 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 11 | 6.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 9 | 5.2% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Privacy.
TV complaints
117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 59 | 50.4% |
| Availability | 25 | 21.4% |
| Indecency | 11 | 9.4% |
| Interference | 9 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.4% |
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.