FCC Consumer Complaints – 8 April 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1032 consumer complaints on Friday, 8 April 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1156 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 152 complaints. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1032
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (362)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (152)
Where the complaints came from
The 1032 complaints recorded on 8 April 2016 originated from 706 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 152 | 14.7% |
| Florida | 75 | 7.3% |
| Texas | 69 | 6.7% |
| New York | 61 | 5.9% |
| Maryland | 48 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 42 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 40 | 3.9% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 35 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 424 | 41.1% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 96 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 763 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 763 | 73.9% |
| Internet | 151 | 14.6% |
| TV | 91 | 8.8% |
| Radio | 24 | 2.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
763 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 362 | 47.4% |
| Robocalls | 194 | 25.4% |
| Billing | 81 | 10.6% |
| Privacy | 30 | 3.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 26 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 2.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.8% |
| 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
151 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 33.8% |
| Availability | 42 | 27.8% |
| Interference | 16 | 10.6% |
| Speed | 16 | 10.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 9 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 9 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.3% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 44.0% |
| Availability | 24 | 26.4% |
| Equipment | 12 | 13.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 6.6% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.5% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.