FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 May 2016
Introduction
On 2 May 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1137 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 308 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1137
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (308)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (164)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 2 May 2016 show 1137 complaints originating from 718 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 164 | 14.4% |
| Florida | 125 | 11.0% |
| Texas | 116 | 10.2% |
| New York | 60 | 5.3% |
| Maryland | 55 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 47 | 4.1% |
| Colorado | 39 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 37 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 35 | 3.1% |
| Illinois | 31 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 428 | 37.6% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 98 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 758 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 758 | 66.7% |
| Internet | 183 | 16.1% |
| TV | 151 | 13.3% |
| Radio | 40 | 3.5% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
758 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 308 | 40.6% |
| Robocalls | 159 | 21.0% |
| Billing | 86 | 11.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 45 | 5.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 44 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 37 | 4.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 37 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 18 | 2.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 15 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
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
183 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 61 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 41 | 22.4% |
| Speed | 22 | 12.0% |
| Privacy | 18 | 9.8% |
| Equipment | 15 | 8.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 15 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 11 | 6.0% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
151 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 73 | 48.3% |
| Availability | 35 | 23.2% |
| Equipment | 17 | 11.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.0% |
| Indecency | 5 | 3.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
40 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 32 | 80.0% |
| Equipment | 3 | 7.5% |
| Indecency | 3 | 7.5% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.5% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 2.5% |
Interference and Equipment 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.