FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 April 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1184 consumer complaints on 5 April 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1000 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1184
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (401)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (173)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 5 April 2016 show 1184 complaints originating from 771 cities across 52 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 | 173 | 14.6% |
| Texas | 107 | 9.0% |
| Florida | 93 | 7.9% |
| New York | 74 | 6.3% |
| Illinois | 46 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 43 | 3.6% |
| Ohio | 42 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 40 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 39 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 34 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 492 | 41.6% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 121 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
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 838 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 838 | 70.8% |
| Internet | 182 | 15.4% |
| TV | 135 | 11.4% |
| Radio | 24 | 2.0% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
838 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 401 | 47.9% |
| Robocalls | 192 | 22.9% |
| Billing | 102 | 12.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 36 | 4.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 24 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 24 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 2.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
182 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 28.6% |
| Availability | 49 | 26.9% |
| Speed | 30 | 16.5% |
| Privacy | 16 | 8.8% |
| Interference | 14 | 7.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 8 | 4.4% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
135 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 53 | 39.3% |
| Billing | 51 | 37.8% |
| Equipment | 14 | 10.4% |
| Indecency | 5 | 3.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 3.7% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, 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.