FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 March 2016
Introduction
A total of 1165 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 29 March 2016, this was higher than the 932 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 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
- 1165
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (413)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (155)
Where the complaints came from
The 1165 complaints recorded on 29 March 2016 originated from 779 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 155 | 13.3% |
| Florida | 97 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 87 | 7.5% |
| New York | 68 | 5.8% |
| Georgia | 51 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 3.8% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 41 | 3.5% |
| Arizona | 38 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 493 | 42.3% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 98 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 900 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 900 | 77.3% |
| Internet | 137 | 11.8% |
| TV | 100 | 8.6% |
| Radio | 21 | 1.8% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
900 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 413 | 45.9% |
| Robocalls | 218 | 24.2% |
| Billing | 111 | 12.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 39 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 31 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 2.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 17 | 1.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.4% |
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
137 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 35.8% |
| Availability | 22 | 16.1% |
| Speed | 20 | 14.6% |
| Interference | 12 | 8.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 12 | 8.8% |
| Privacy | 12 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 10 | 7.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 41.0% |
| Availability | 25 | 25.0% |
| Indecency | 14 | 14.0% |
| Interference | 9 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 5.0% |
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.