FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 April 2016
Introduction
On 29 April 2016, 1202 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1314 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California 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
- 1202
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (398)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (169)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1202 complaints were recorded on 29 April 2016, with reports originating from 731 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 169 | 14.1% |
| Texas | 137 | 11.4% |
| Florida | 130 | 10.8% |
| New York | 60 | 5.0% |
| Georgia | 51 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 44 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 41 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.0% |
| North Carolina | 34 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 455 | 37.9% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 823 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 823 | 68.5% |
| Internet | 214 | 17.8% |
| TV | 131 | 10.9% |
| Radio | 32 | 2.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
823 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 398 | 48.4% |
| Robocalls | 188 | 22.8% |
| Billing | 66 | 8.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 40 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 39 | 4.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 29 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 27 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
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
214 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 73 | 34.1% |
| Speed | 52 | 24.3% |
| Availability | 43 | 20.1% |
| Privacy | 18 | 8.4% |
| Interference | 14 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 8 | 3.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 2.8% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
131 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 69 | 52.7% |
| Availability | 29 | 22.1% |
| Equipment | 15 | 11.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 6.1% |
| Indecency | 5 | 3.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
32 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 21 | 65.6% |
| Indecency | 5 | 15.6% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 9.4% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 6.3% |
| Billing | 1 | 3.1% |
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.