FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 March 2016

Introduction

On 13 March 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 131 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 213 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 36 states and territories, with California accounting for the largest number of submissions at 25 complaints. Billing recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.

Key statistics

Total complaints
131
States & territories reporting
36
Most common issue
Billing (37)
Most reported state/territory
California (25)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 131 complaints were recorded on 13 March 2016, with reports originating from 111 cities in 36 states and territories. Complaint activity was somewhat more concentrated than usual, with California accounting for the largest share of reports. At the city level, no single location accounted for a notable share of complaints.

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 25 19.1%
Illinois 11 8.4%
Washington 10 7.6%
Florida 7 5.3%
Tennessee 7 5.3%
Ohio 6 4.6%
Pennsylvania 6 4.6%
Colorado 5 3.8%
North Carolina 5 3.8%
Texas 5 3.8%
Other states and territories 43 32.8%

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 68 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 68 51.9%
Internet 39 29.8%
TV 21 16.0%
Radio 2 1.5%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.8%

Phone complaints

68 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 51.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) 19 27.9%
Billing 16 23.5%
Robocalls 15 22.1%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 5 7.4%
Availability (including rural call completion) 4 5.9%
Equipment 4 5.9%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 3 4.4%
Interference (including signal jammers) 2 2.9%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), Billing and Robocalls.

Internet complaints

39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 29.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 13 33.3%
Interference 7 17.9%
Availability 6 15.4%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 6 15.4%
Speed 5 12.8%
Equipment 2 5.1%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Interference and Availability.

TV complaints

21 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 8 38.1%
Availability 4 19.0%
Equipment 3 14.3%
Indecency 2 9.5%
Interference 2 9.5%
Privacy 2 9.5%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Equipment.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 13 March 2016.

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.