FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 March 2016
Introduction
On 14 March 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 473 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 131 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 46 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 473
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (136)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (55)
Where the complaints came from
On 14 March 2016, the 473 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 365 cities across 46 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 55 | 11.6% |
| Florida | 28 | 5.9% |
| Texas | 28 | 5.9% |
| New York | 25 | 5.3% |
| Illinois | 23 | 4.9% |
| Washington | 22 | 4.7% |
| Kentucky | 17 | 3.6% |
| Ohio | 17 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 17 | 3.6% |
| Colorado | 16 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 223 | 47.1% |
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 307 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 307 | 64.9% |
| Internet | 115 | 24.3% |
| TV | 41 | 8.7% |
| Radio | 8 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
307 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 136 | 44.3% |
| Robocalls | 56 | 18.2% |
| Billing | 47 | 15.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 15 | 4.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 4.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 10 | 3.3% |
| Equipment | 9 | 2.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.3% |
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
115 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 24.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 65 | 56.5% |
| Billing | 14 | 12.2% |
| Speed | 9 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 8 | 7.0% |
| Availability | 7 | 6.1% |
| Privacy | 7 | 6.1% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
41 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 17 | 41.5% |
| Availability | 11 | 26.8% |
| Equipment | 6 | 14.6% |
| Indecency | 4 | 9.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 4.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 1 | 2.4% |
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.