FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 March 2016
Introduction
On Friday, 11 March 2016, 678 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 1086 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 97 complaints. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 678
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (231)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (97)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 11 March 2016 show 678 complaints originating from 475 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 97 | 14.3% |
| Florida | 44 | 6.5% |
| New York | 41 | 6.0% |
| Texas | 38 | 5.6% |
| Illinois | 35 | 5.2% |
| Georgia | 29 | 4.3% |
| Washington | 25 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 24 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 23 | 3.4% |
| Colorado | 22 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 299 | 44.1% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 495 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 495 | 73.0% |
| Internet | 98 | 14.5% |
| TV | 72 | 10.6% |
| Radio | 9 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
495 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 231 | 46.7% |
| Robocalls | 113 | 22.8% |
| Billing | 52 | 10.5% |
| Privacy | 21 | 4.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 20 | 4.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 3.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 14 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 14 | 2.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.4% |
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
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 26.5% |
| Speed | 19 | 19.4% |
| Availability | 16 | 16.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 10 | 10.2% |
| Privacy | 10 | 10.2% |
| Interference | 9 | 9.2% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.2% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
72 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 52.8% |
| Availability | 12 | 16.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 9.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 8.3% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.6% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
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.