FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 April 2016
Introduction
On 17 April 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 328 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 523 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 43 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Availability were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 328
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Availability (71)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (64)
Where the complaints came from
Across 236 cities in 43 states and territories, a total of 328 complaints were recorded on 17 April 2016. Complaint activity was somewhat more concentrated than usual, with California accounting for the largest share of reports. At the city level, complaints were spread across locations, with no single city representing a significant proportion of the total.
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 | 64 | 19.5% |
| Florida | 57 | 17.4% |
| Texas | 38 | 11.6% |
| North Carolina | 12 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 11 | 3.4% |
| New York | 10 | 3.0% |
| Maryland | 8 | 2.4% |
| Michigan | 8 | 2.4% |
| Arizona | 7 | 2.1% |
| Connecticut | 7 | 2.1% |
| Other states and territories | 105 | 32.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 129 complaints. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 102 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 129 | 39.3% |
| Internet | 102 | 31.1% |
| TV | 83 | 25.3% |
| Radio | 11 | 3.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
129 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 39.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 34 | 26.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 14.7% |
| Robocalls | 19 | 14.7% |
| Billing | 16 | 12.4% |
| Equipment | 16 | 12.4% |
| Privacy | 9 | 7.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 4.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 3.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), Availability (including rural call completion) and Robocalls.
Internet complaints
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 31.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 31 | 30.4% |
| Speed | 20 | 19.6% |
| Billing | 18 | 17.6% |
| Interference | 11 | 10.8% |
| Privacy | 9 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 5.9% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Speed and Billing.
TV complaints
83 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 39 | 47.0% |
| Billing | 15 | 18.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 13.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 9.6% |
| Interference | 5 | 6.0% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
Availability and Billing 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.