FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 April 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 323 consumer complaints on 24 April 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 517 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 40 states and territories, with Maryland reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints relating to Billing were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 323
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Billing (74)
- Most reported state/territory
- Maryland (50)
Where the complaints came from
Across 225 cities in 40 states and territories, a total of 323 complaints were recorded on 24 April 2016. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 37 of the 50 complaints recorded.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 50 | 15.5% |
| California | 45 | 13.9% |
| Florida | 28 | 8.7% |
| Texas | 25 | 7.7% |
| New York | 18 | 5.6% |
| Georgia | 16 | 5.0% |
| Tennessee | 13 | 4.0% |
| North Carolina | 11 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 10 | 3.1% |
| Washington | 9 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 98 | 30.3% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Maryland were heavily concentrated in Frederick, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 136 complaints. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 85 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 136 | 42.1% |
| Internet | 85 | 26.3% |
| TV | 57 | 17.6% |
| Radio | 44 | 13.6% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
136 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 42.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 55 | 40.4% |
| Robocalls | 29 | 21.3% |
| Billing | 16 | 11.8% |
| Equipment | 13 | 9.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 5.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 2.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 1 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.7% |
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
85 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 26.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 35.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 16 | 18.8% |
| Availability | 13 | 15.3% |
| Speed | 12 | 14.1% |
| Privacy | 8 | 9.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.4% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability.
TV complaints
57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 49.1% |
| Availability | 17 | 29.8% |
| Indecency | 4 | 7.0% |
| Interference | 4 | 7.0% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 1 | 1.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
44 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 41 | 93.2% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.5% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 2.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Indecency, 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.