FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 May 2016
Introduction
On Thursday, 5 May 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 3099 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1328 complaints the day before. Submissions were made from 52 states and territories, with California accounting for the highest number of complaints at 551. The largest number of complaints related to Open Internet/Net Neutrality, with 1831 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 3099
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Open Internet/Net Neutrality (1831)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (551)
Where the complaints came from
On 5 May 2016, the 3099 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 1491 cities across 52 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 | 551 | 17.8% |
| Texas | 234 | 7.6% |
| Florida | 196 | 6.3% |
| New York | 165 | 5.3% |
| Illinois | 131 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 130 | 4.2% |
| Washington | 124 | 4.0% |
| Massachusetts | 94 | 3.0% |
| Georgia | 93 | 3.0% |
| Oregon | 93 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 1286 | 41.5% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 235 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Internet accounted for the largest share, with 2003 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Internet | 2003 | 64.6% |
| Phone | 933 | 30.1% |
| TV | 126 | 4.1% |
| Radio | 35 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.0% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.0% |
Internet complaints
2003 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1830 | 91.4% |
| Billing | 51 | 2.5% |
| Availability | 49 | 2.4% |
| Speed | 25 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 21 | 1.0% |
| Equipment | 16 | 0.8% |
| Interference | 11 | 0.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Phone complaints
933 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 30.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 410 | 43.9% |
| Robocalls | 229 | 24.5% |
| Billing | 89 | 9.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 55 | 5.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 41 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 39 | 4.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 32 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 27 | 2.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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.
TV complaints
126 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 40.5% |
| Availability | 44 | 34.9% |
| Equipment | 12 | 9.5% |
| Indecency | 6 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 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
35 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 1.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 31 | 88.6% |
| Availability | 1 | 2.9% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.9% |
| Indecency | 1 | 2.9% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 2.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Availability, 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.