FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 April 2016

Introduction

A total of 445 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 2 April 2016, this represented a decline from the 967 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 46 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.

Key statistics

Total complaints
445
States & territories reporting
46
Most common issue
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (125)
Most reported state/territory
California (79)

Where the complaints came from

The 445 complaints recorded on 2 April 2016 originated from 349 cities across 46 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 79 17.8%
Florida 45 10.1%
Texas 38 8.5%
Pennsylvania 28 6.3%
Virginia 21 4.7%
Georgia 15 3.4%
New York 15 3.4%
Illinois 12 2.7%
Maryland 12 2.7%
New Jersey 12 2.7%
Other states and territories 168 37.8%

What the complaints were about

A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 271 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 271 60.9%
Internet 89 20.0%
TV 70 15.7%
Radio 12 2.7%
Accessibility 1 0.2%
Emergency 1 0.2%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.2%

Phone complaints

271 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 60.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) 125 46.1%
Robocalls 62 22.9%
Billing 31 11.4%
Equipment 17 6.3%
Privacy 12 4.4%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 6 2.2%
Availability (including rural call completion) 5 1.8%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 5 1.8%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 4 1.5%
Interference (including signal jammers) 2 0.7%
Junk Faxes 2 0.7%

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

89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 25 28.1%
Billing 25 28.1%
Speed 13 14.6%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 7 7.9%
Privacy 7 7.9%
Equipment 6 6.7%
Interference 6 6.7%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Billing and Speed among the most common.

TV complaints

70 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 21 30.0%
Availability 19 27.1%
Equipment 9 12.9%
Loud Commercials 8 11.4%
Indecency 6 8.6%
Interference 4 5.7%
Privacy 2 2.9%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.4%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Equipment among the most common.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 2 April 2016.

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.