FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 April 2016
Introduction
A total of 1432 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 13 April 2016, this represented an increase from the 1346 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1432
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (379)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (231)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 13 April 2016 show 1432 complaints originating from 832 cities across 51 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 38 of the 62 complaints recorded in the state.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 231 | 16.1% |
| Florida | 185 | 12.9% |
| Texas | 144 | 10.1% |
| New York | 72 | 5.0% |
| Maryland | 62 | 4.3% |
| Virginia | 50 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 48 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 46 | 3.2% |
| Illinois | 43 | 3.0% |
| Ohio | 42 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 506 | 35.3% |
Location highlight
Frederick accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Maryland.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 883 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 883 | 61.7% |
| Internet | 282 | 19.7% |
| TV | 202 | 14.1% |
| Radio | 64 | 4.5% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
883 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 61.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 379 | 42.9% |
| Robocalls | 185 | 21.0% |
| Billing | 126 | 14.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 57 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 38 | 4.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 27 | 3.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 26 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 26 | 2.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.3% |
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
282 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 124 | 44.0% |
| Billing | 63 | 22.3% |
| Speed | 30 | 10.6% |
| Interference | 24 | 8.5% |
| Equipment | 15 | 5.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 4.6% |
| Privacy | 13 | 4.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
202 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 93 | 46.0% |
| Billing | 60 | 29.7% |
| Equipment | 19 | 9.4% |
| Interference | 10 | 5.0% |
| Indecency | 7 | 3.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 5 | 2.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
64 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 50 | 78.1% |
| Pirate Radio | 9 | 14.1% |
| Availability | 2 | 3.1% |
| Indecency | 2 | 3.1% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Pirate Radio, 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.