FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 April 2016
Introduction
A total of 1074 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 18 April 2016, this represented an increase from the 328 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with Florida recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1074
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (299)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (152)
Where the complaints came from
The 1074 complaints recorded on 18 April 2016 originated from 664 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 46 of the 66 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 152 | 14.2% |
| California | 135 | 12.6% |
| Texas | 115 | 10.7% |
| Maryland | 66 | 6.1% |
| New York | 51 | 4.7% |
| Georgia | 42 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 35 | 3.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 32 | 3.0% |
| North Carolina | 29 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 381 | 35.5% |
Location highlight
Frederick accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Maryland.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 694 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 694 | 64.6% |
| Internet | 181 | 16.9% |
| TV | 137 | 12.8% |
| Radio | 56 | 5.2% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
694 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 299 | 43.1% |
| Robocalls | 152 | 21.9% |
| Billing | 62 | 8.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 52 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 44 | 6.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 31 | 4.5% |
| Privacy | 22 | 3.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.0% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
181 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 63 | 34.8% |
| Availability | 58 | 32.0% |
| Interference | 21 | 11.6% |
| Speed | 14 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 12 | 6.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 2.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
137 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 49 | 35.8% |
| Billing | 47 | 34.3% |
| Equipment | 12 | 8.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 7.3% |
| Indecency | 9 | 6.6% |
| Interference | 8 | 5.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.5% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
56 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 52 | 92.9% |
| Indecency | 2 | 3.6% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 1.8% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.8% |
Interference and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.