FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 March 2016
Introduction
A total of 932 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 28 March 2016, this represented an increase from the 197 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than 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
- 932
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (316)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (95)
Where the complaints came from
The 932 complaints recorded on 28 March 2016 were submitted from 636 cities across 50 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 | 95 | 10.2% |
| Florida | 68 | 7.3% |
| New York | 57 | 6.1% |
| Georgia | 45 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 4.8% |
| Texas | 45 | 4.8% |
| Illinois | 41 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 39 | 4.2% |
| Maryland | 36 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 32 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 429 | 46.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 687 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 687 | 73.7% |
| Internet | 115 | 12.3% |
| TV | 104 | 11.2% |
| Radio | 21 | 2.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
687 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 316 | 46.0% |
| Robocalls | 178 | 25.9% |
| Billing | 66 | 9.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 30 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 25 | 3.6% |
| Equipment | 22 | 3.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 2.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.9% |
| 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 were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
115 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 43.5% |
| Speed | 20 | 17.4% |
| Availability | 12 | 10.4% |
| Interference | 10 | 8.7% |
| Privacy | 10 | 8.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 6.1% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.2% |
Billing and Speed were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
104 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 31.7% |
| Availability | 19 | 18.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 18 | 17.3% |
| Indecency | 16 | 15.4% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.7% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.9% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials.
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.