FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 April 2016
Introduction
A total of 1040 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 22 April 2016, complaint volume fell from 1125 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was the most frequently reported issue, with 327 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1040
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (327)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (150)
Where the complaints came from
On 22 April 2016, the 1040 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 676 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 41 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 150 | 14.4% |
| Florida | 127 | 12.2% |
| Texas | 89 | 8.6% |
| Maryland | 66 | 6.3% |
| New York | 56 | 5.4% |
| Georgia | 39 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 34 | 3.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 31 | 3.0% |
| Ohio | 30 | 2.9% |
| New Jersey | 29 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 386 | 37.1% |
Location highlights
- Frederick accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Maryland.
- Complaints in California were reported across 99 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 735 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 735 | 70.7% |
| Internet | 162 | 15.6% |
| TV | 80 | 7.7% |
| Radio | 59 | 5.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
735 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 327 | 44.5% |
| Robocalls | 162 | 22.0% |
| Billing | 79 | 10.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 42 | 5.7% |
| Equipment | 36 | 4.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 28 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 28 | 3.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
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
162 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 25.9% |
| Availability | 40 | 24.7% |
| Speed | 27 | 16.7% |
| Privacy | 18 | 11.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 15 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 10 | 6.2% |
| Interference | 9 | 5.6% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
80 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 36.3% |
| Availability | 26 | 32.5% |
| Equipment | 12 | 15.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 7.5% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
59 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 51 | 86.4% |
| Indecency | 4 | 6.8% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 3.4% |
| Availability | 1 | 1.7% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.7% |
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.