FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 May 2016
Introduction
On 1 May 2016, 308 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 586 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 40 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Billing recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 308
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Billing (54)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (48)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 308 complaints were recorded on 1 May 2016, with reports originating from 242 cities in 40 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 48 | 15.6% |
| Texas | 32 | 10.4% |
| Florida | 29 | 9.4% |
| Maryland | 21 | 6.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 17 | 5.5% |
| New York | 15 | 4.9% |
| Missouri | 13 | 4.2% |
| New Jersey | 10 | 3.2% |
| North Carolina | 9 | 2.9% |
| Illinois | 8 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 106 | 34.4% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 33 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 143 reports. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 86 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 143 | 46.4% |
| Internet | 86 | 27.9% |
| TV | 43 | 14.0% |
| Radio | 32 | 10.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
143 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 46.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 52 | 36.4% |
| Robocalls | 22 | 15.4% |
| Billing | 21 | 14.7% |
| Equipment | 13 | 9.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 12 | 8.4% |
| Privacy | 11 | 7.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 2.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 2.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.4% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), Robocalls and Billing.
Internet complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 27.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 25 | 29.1% |
| Billing | 18 | 20.9% |
| Availability | 16 | 18.6% |
| Privacy | 12 | 14.0% |
| Interference | 6 | 7.0% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 4.7% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Speed, Billing and Availability.
TV complaints
43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 14 | 32.6% |
| Availability | 12 | 27.9% |
| Indecency | 6 | 14.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 14.0% |
| Equipment | 3 | 7.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 4.7% |
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 10.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 22 | 68.8% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 3 | 9.4% |
| Indecency | 3 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 6.3% |
| Billing | 1 | 3.1% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 3.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Commercials/Promotions, 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.