FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 March 2016
Introduction
On 16 March 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 475 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 637 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 47 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 475
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (167)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (53)
Where the complaints came from
The 475 complaints recorded on 16 March 2016 originated from 365 cities across 47 states and territories. 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 | 53 | 11.2% |
| Florida | 40 | 8.4% |
| Georgia | 29 | 6.1% |
| Texas | 27 | 5.7% |
| New York | 25 | 5.3% |
| North Carolina | 20 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 19 | 4.0% |
| Maryland | 18 | 3.8% |
| Missouri | 17 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 15 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 211 | 44.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 4 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 361 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 361 | 76.0% |
| Internet | 69 | 14.5% |
| TV | 38 | 8.0% |
| Radio | 7 | 1.5% |
Phone complaints
361 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 167 | 46.3% |
| Robocalls | 69 | 19.1% |
| Billing | 55 | 15.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 4.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 12 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 9 | 2.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.3% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
69 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 18 | 26.1% |
| Billing | 16 | 23.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 11.6% |
| Speed | 8 | 11.6% |
| Interference | 7 | 10.1% |
| Equipment | 6 | 8.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 8.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Privacy.
TV complaints
38 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 14 | 36.8% |
| Availability | 10 | 26.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 21.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 5.3% |
| Indecency | 1 | 2.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 1 | 2.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.