FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 April 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 523 consumer complaints on 16 April 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1163 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 44 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 523
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (106)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (82)
Where the complaints came from
On 16 April 2016, the 523 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 358 cities across 44 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | 82 | 15.7% |
| Florida | 69 | 13.2% |
| Texas | 65 | 12.4% |
| New York | 27 | 5.2% |
| Georgia | 24 | 4.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 19 | 3.6% |
| Washington | 19 | 3.6% |
| Maryland | 17 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 17 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 15 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 169 | 32.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 272 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 272 | 52.0% |
| Internet | 117 | 22.4% |
| TV | 96 | 18.4% |
| Radio | 35 | 6.7% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
272 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 52.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 106 | 39.0% |
| Robocalls | 64 | 23.5% |
| Equipment | 29 | 10.7% |
| Billing | 28 | 10.3% |
| Privacy | 14 | 5.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 12 | 4.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 2 | 0.7% |
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
117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 46 | 39.3% |
| Billing | 26 | 22.2% |
| Speed | 14 | 12.0% |
| Equipment | 10 | 8.5% |
| Privacy | 8 | 6.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 6.0% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.1% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
96 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 34 | 35.4% |
| Billing | 26 | 27.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 11.5% |
| Interference | 10 | 10.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 8.3% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
35 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 19 | 54.3% |
| Indecency | 11 | 31.4% |
| Availability | 2 | 5.7% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.9% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 2.9% |
Interference and Indecency 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.