FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 April 2016
Introduction
A total of 1230 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 14 April 2016, this represented a decline from the 1432 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 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
- 1230
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (373)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (200)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 14 April 2016 show 1230 complaints originating from 761 cities across 50 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | 200 | 16.3% |
| Florida | 150 | 12.2% |
| Texas | 107 | 8.7% |
| Maryland | 56 | 4.6% |
| New York | 49 | 4.0% |
| Georgia | 46 | 3.7% |
| Michigan | 42 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 42 | 3.4% |
| North Carolina | 37 | 3.0% |
| Illinois | 33 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 467 | 38.0% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 837 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 837 | 68.0% |
| Internet | 205 | 16.7% |
| TV | 140 | 11.4% |
| Radio | 39 | 3.2% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
837 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 373 | 44.6% |
| Robocalls | 199 | 23.8% |
| Billing | 85 | 10.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 53 | 6.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 35 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 31 | 3.7% |
| Equipment | 28 | 3.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
205 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 93 | 45.4% |
| Billing | 37 | 18.0% |
| Speed | 25 | 12.2% |
| Privacy | 18 | 8.8% |
| Interference | 15 | 7.3% |
| Equipment | 14 | 6.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 1.5% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
140 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 53 | 37.9% |
| Billing | 49 | 35.0% |
| Equipment | 12 | 8.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 7.1% |
| Indecency | 8 | 5.7% |
| Interference | 8 | 5.7% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 30 | 76.9% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 7.7% |
| Availability | 2 | 5.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 5.1% |
| Indecency | 2 | 5.1% |
Interference and Pirate Radio 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.