FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 March 2016
Introduction
On 20 March 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 246 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 433 complaints recorded the day before. Submissions were made from 37 states and territories, with California accounting for the highest number of complaints at 41. Billing recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 246
- States & territories reporting
- 37
- Most common issue
- Billing (53)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (41)
Where the complaints came from
The 246 complaints recorded on 20 March 2016 originated from 200 cities across 37 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 41 | 16.7% |
| Texas | 18 | 7.3% |
| Florida | 17 | 6.9% |
| Illinois | 14 | 5.7% |
| Georgia | 13 | 5.3% |
| Colorado | 11 | 4.5% |
| Oregon | 10 | 4.1% |
| Michigan | 9 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 9 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 9 | 3.7% |
| Other states and territories | 95 | 38.6% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 117 reports. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 71 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 117 | 47.6% |
| Internet | 71 | 28.9% |
| TV | 46 | 18.7% |
| Radio | 9 | 3.7% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.8% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 47.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 51 | 43.6% |
| Robocalls | 25 | 21.4% |
| Billing | 14 | 12.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 3 | 2.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 2.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.7% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
71 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 28.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 36.6% |
| Availability | 13 | 18.3% |
| Speed | 9 | 12.7% |
| Interference | 7 | 9.9% |
| Privacy | 7 | 9.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 8.5% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.2% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
46 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 13 | 28.3% |
| Availability | 9 | 19.6% |
| Indecency | 7 | 15.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 13.0% |
| Equipment | 5 | 10.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 6.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.2% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Indecency among the most common.
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.