FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 April 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1135 consumer complaints on Wednesday, 6 April 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1184 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 49 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
- 1135
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (397)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (163)
Where the complaints came from
On 6 April 2016, the 1135 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 758 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 163 | 14.4% |
| Florida | 105 | 9.3% |
| Texas | 94 | 8.3% |
| New York | 62 | 5.5% |
| Virginia | 45 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 43 | 3.8% |
| Maryland | 43 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 40 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 35 | 3.1% |
| Tennessee | 34 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 470 | 41.4% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 848 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 848 | 74.7% |
| Internet | 161 | 14.2% |
| TV | 102 | 9.0% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.6% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
848 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 397 | 46.8% |
| Robocalls | 216 | 25.5% |
| Billing | 85 | 10.0% |
| Privacy | 32 | 3.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 3.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 26 | 3.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 2.6% |
| Equipment | 19 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.4% |
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
161 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 50 | 31.1% |
| Billing | 43 | 26.7% |
| Speed | 25 | 15.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 15 | 9.3% |
| Interference | 13 | 8.1% |
| Privacy | 12 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 3 | 1.9% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Speed.
TV complaints
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 22 | 21.6% |
| Equipment | 18 | 17.6% |
| Interference | 11 | 10.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 10.8% |
| Indecency | 4 | 3.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Equipment.
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.