FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 May 2016

Introduction

On 9 May 2016, 2262 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 599 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Open Internet/Net Neutrality, accounting for 1192 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
2262
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Open Internet/Net Neutrality (1192)
Most reported state/territory
California (346)

Where the complaints came from

On 9 May 2016, the 2262 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 1183 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.

State/Territory Complaints
California 346 15.3%
Florida 183 8.1%
New York 141 6.2%
Texas 137 6.1%
Maryland 100 4.4%
Pennsylvania 99 4.4%
Illinois 96 4.2%
Washington 73 3.2%
Virginia 71 3.1%
Georgia 70 3.1%
Other states and territories 942 41.6%

Location highlight

Complaints in California were reported across 168 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.

What the complaints were about

A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Internet was the most reported category, with 1344 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Internet 1344 59.4%
Phone 747 33.0%
TV 107 4.7%
Radio 58 2.6%
Emergency 6 0.3%

Internet complaints

1344 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 59.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1190 88.5%
Billing 54 4.0%
Availability 38 2.8%
Speed 23 1.7%
Privacy 16 1.2%
Interference 12 0.9%
Equipment 10 0.7%

Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Phone complaints

747 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 33.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) 315 42.2%
Robocalls 162 21.7%
Billing 87 11.6%
Equipment 43 5.8%
Availability (including rural call completion) 39 5.2%
Junk Faxes 31 4.1%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 30 4.0%
Privacy 19 2.5%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 9 1.2%
Interference (including signal jammers) 8 1.1%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 2 0.3%
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.

TV complaints

107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 45 42.1%
Availability 37 34.6%
Equipment 11 10.3%
Loud Commercials 6 5.6%
Indecency 4 3.7%
Interference 4 3.7%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Radio complaints

58 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Interference 49 84.5%
Commercials/Promotions 3 5.2%
Indecency 3 5.2%
Equipment 2 3.4%
Billing 1 1.7%

Interference and Commercials/Promotions were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 9 May 2016.

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.