FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 March 2016
Introduction
A total of 1065 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, 22 March 2016, this was higher than the 933 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1065
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (400)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (139)
Where the complaints came from
On 22 March 2016, the 1065 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 729 cities across 50 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | 139 | 13.1% |
| Texas | 83 | 7.8% |
| New York | 75 | 7.0% |
| Florida | 62 | 5.8% |
| Maryland | 46 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 41 | 3.8% |
| Colorado | 37 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 37 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 463 | 43.5% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 88 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 824 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 824 | 77.4% |
| Internet | 135 | 12.7% |
| TV | 78 | 7.3% |
| Radio | 26 | 2.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
824 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 400 | 48.5% |
| Robocalls | 204 | 24.8% |
| Billing | 87 | 10.6% |
| Privacy | 29 | 3.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 3.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 24 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 21 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
135 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 48 | 35.6% |
| Availability | 28 | 20.7% |
| Speed | 21 | 15.6% |
| Equipment | 14 | 10.4% |
| Privacy | 10 | 7.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 5.9% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.4% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
78 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 38.5% |
| Availability | 18 | 23.1% |
| Equipment | 13 | 16.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 14.1% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.8% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
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.