FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 May 2016
Introduction
On 4 May 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1328 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1363 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), with 434 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1328
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (434)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (223)
Where the complaints came from
On 4 May 2016, the 1328 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 775 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. 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 | 223 | 16.8% |
| Texas | 150 | 11.3% |
| Florida | 111 | 8.4% |
| New York | 79 | 5.9% |
| Georgia | 52 | 3.9% |
| Maryland | 52 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 44 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 41 | 3.1% |
| Washington | 39 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 485 | 36.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 122 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 959 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 959 | 72.2% |
| Internet | 197 | 14.8% |
| TV | 126 | 9.5% |
| Radio | 43 | 3.2% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
959 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 434 | 45.3% |
| Robocalls | 191 | 19.9% |
| Billing | 88 | 9.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 70 | 7.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 43 | 4.5% |
| Privacy | 41 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 38 | 4.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 36 | 3.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
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
197 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 65 | 33.0% |
| Billing | 60 | 30.5% |
| Speed | 24 | 12.2% |
| Privacy | 19 | 9.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 6.6% |
| Interference | 11 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 5 | 2.5% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
126 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 44.4% |
| Availability | 25 | 19.8% |
| Equipment | 22 | 17.5% |
| Interference | 9 | 7.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 7.1% |
| Indecency | 3 | 2.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 30 | 69.8% |
| Indecency | 6 | 14.0% |
| Availability | 3 | 7.0% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 2.3% |
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.