FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 May 2016
Introduction
On Friday, 13 May 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1261 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1190 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1261
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (391)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (172)
Where the complaints came from
The 1261 complaints recorded on 13 May 2016 originated from 812 cities across 52 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 172 | 13.6% |
| Florida | 140 | 11.1% |
| Texas | 123 | 9.8% |
| New York | 65 | 5.2% |
| Maryland | 55 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 49 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 44 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 43 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 41 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 38 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 490 | 38.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 821 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 821 | 65.1% |
| Internet | 265 | 21.0% |
| TV | 136 | 10.8% |
| Radio | 37 | 2.9% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
821 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 65.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 391 | 47.6% |
| Robocalls | 193 | 23.5% |
| Billing | 82 | 10.0% |
| Equipment | 35 | 4.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 32 | 3.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 31 | 3.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 23 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 16 | 1.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 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.
Internet complaints
265 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 70 | 26.4% |
| Billing | 65 | 24.5% |
| Availability | 61 | 23.0% |
| Speed | 22 | 8.3% |
| Privacy | 19 | 7.2% |
| Equipment | 18 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 10 | 3.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Open Internet/Net Neutrality, Billing and Availability.
TV complaints
136 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 36.0% |
| Availability | 25 | 18.4% |
| Equipment | 25 | 18.4% |
| Indecency | 16 | 11.8% |
| Interference | 13 | 9.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.9% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Equipment.
Radio complaints
37 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 32 | 86.5% |
| Billing | 2 | 5.4% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 5.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Billing, 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.