FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 March 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 433 consumer complaints on Saturday, 19 March 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 848 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 47 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
- 433
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (150)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (48)
Where the complaints came from
The 433 complaints recorded on 19 March 2016 were submitted from 329 cities across 47 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant 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 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 | 48 | 11.1% |
| Florida | 39 | 9.0% |
| Texas | 35 | 8.1% |
| New York | 29 | 6.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 19 | 4.4% |
| New Jersey | 16 | 3.7% |
| Washington | 16 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 15 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 14 | 3.2% |
| Tennessee | 14 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 188 | 43.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 267 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 267 | 61.7% |
| Internet | 79 | 18.2% |
| TV | 72 | 16.6% |
| Radio | 13 | 3.0% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
267 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 61.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 150 | 56.2% |
| Robocalls | 51 | 19.1% |
| Billing | 25 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 11 | 4.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 8 | 3.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 4 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.7% |
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
79 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 36.7% |
| Speed | 12 | 15.2% |
| Availability | 10 | 12.7% |
| Privacy | 9 | 11.4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 8.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 8.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 6.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
72 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 33.3% |
| Indecency | 18 | 25.0% |
| Availability | 14 | 19.4% |
| Equipment | 6 | 8.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 8.3% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Indecency and Availability.
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.