FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 March 2016
Introduction
On Thursday, 10 March 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1086 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1065 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 49 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
- 1086
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (394)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (116)
Where the complaints came from
Across 710 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 1086 complaints were recorded on 10 March 2016. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 116 | 10.7% |
| Florida | 90 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 74 | 6.8% |
| New York | 61 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 54 | 5.0% |
| Washington | 50 | 4.6% |
| Illinois | 47 | 4.3% |
| Colorado | 39 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 36 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 34 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 483 | 44.5% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 841 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 841 | 77.4% |
| Internet | 127 | 11.7% |
| TV | 96 | 8.8% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
841 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 394 | 46.8% |
| Robocalls | 214 | 25.4% |
| Billing | 85 | 10.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 30 | 3.6% |
| Equipment | 29 | 3.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 22 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 0.6% |
| 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
127 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 32.3% |
| Availability | 24 | 18.9% |
| Speed | 18 | 14.2% |
| Privacy | 17 | 13.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 10.2% |
| Interference | 9 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.9% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
96 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 48 | 50.0% |
| Indecency | 12 | 12.5% |
| Equipment | 9 | 9.4% |
| Availability | 8 | 8.3% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Indecency, 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.