FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 March 2016
Introduction
A total of 848 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 18 March 2016, this represented an increase from the 481 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 848
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (302)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (111)
Where the complaints came from
The 848 complaints recorded on 18 March 2016 were submitted from 592 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. 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 | 111 | 13.1% |
| Texas | 73 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 62 | 7.3% |
| New York | 40 | 4.7% |
| Illinois | 36 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 32 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 30 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 29 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 25 | 2.9% |
| Virginia | 25 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 383 | 45.2% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 74 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 660 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 660 | 77.8% |
| Internet | 102 | 12.0% |
| TV | 77 | 9.1% |
| Radio | 6 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
660 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 302 | 45.8% |
| Robocalls | 167 | 25.3% |
| Billing | 69 | 10.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 25 | 3.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 3.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 19 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 19 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 15 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.2% |
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
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 41.2% |
| Availability | 17 | 16.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 15 | 14.7% |
| Speed | 9 | 8.8% |
| Interference | 8 | 7.8% |
| Privacy | 8 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.9% |
Billing was the most commonly reported issue in this category, while other issues occurred less frequently.
TV complaints
77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 49.4% |
| Availability | 16 | 20.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 10.4% |
| Interference | 7 | 9.1% |
| Indecency | 4 | 5.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
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.