FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 April 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1163 consumer complaints on Friday, 15 April 2016 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1230 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), accounting for 388 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1163
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (388)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (194)
Where the complaints came from
The 1163 complaints recorded on 15 April 2016 originated from 734 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 194 | 16.7% |
| Florida | 166 | 14.3% |
| Texas | 90 | 7.7% |
| Maryland | 53 | 4.6% |
| New York | 53 | 4.6% |
| Virginia | 34 | 2.9% |
| Illinois | 33 | 2.8% |
| Ohio | 33 | 2.8% |
| New Jersey | 32 | 2.8% |
| North Carolina | 30 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 445 | 38.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 823 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 823 | 70.8% |
| Internet | 174 | 15.0% |
| TV | 134 | 11.5% |
| Radio | 25 | 2.1% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
823 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 388 | 47.1% |
| Robocalls | 179 | 21.7% |
| Billing | 74 | 9.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 59 | 7.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 44 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 38 | 4.6% |
| Privacy | 20 | 2.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.5% |
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
174 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 65 | 37.4% |
| Billing | 42 | 24.1% |
| Equipment | 19 | 10.9% |
| Speed | 18 | 10.3% |
| Interference | 12 | 6.9% |
| Privacy | 12 | 6.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 3.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
134 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 51 | 38.1% |
| Billing | 46 | 34.3% |
| Equipment | 19 | 14.2% |
| Indecency | 6 | 4.5% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.5% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 1.5% |
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.