FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 May 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1141 consumer complaints on 16 May 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 364 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with Florida recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1141
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (328)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (121)
Where the complaints came from
On 16 May 2016, the 1141 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 728 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Kentucky, where Frankfort accounted for 26 of the 36 complaints recorded.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 121 | 10.6% |
| California | 118 | 10.3% |
| Texas | 115 | 10.1% |
| New York | 68 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 47 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 46 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 44 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.2% |
| Kentucky | 36 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 36 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 472 | 41.4% |
Location highlight
Frankfort accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Kentucky.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 786 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 786 | 68.9% |
| Internet | 222 | 19.5% |
| TV | 114 | 10.0% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
786 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 328 | 41.7% |
| Robocalls | 180 | 22.9% |
| Billing | 74 | 9.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 44 | 5.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 40 | 5.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 36 | 4.6% |
| Equipment | 32 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 32 | 4.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
| 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
222 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 54 | 24.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 50 | 22.5% |
| Availability | 44 | 19.8% |
| Speed | 28 | 12.6% |
| Privacy | 20 | 9.0% |
| Interference | 17 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 9 | 4.1% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability.
TV complaints
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 48.2% |
| Availability | 25 | 21.9% |
| Equipment | 10 | 8.8% |
| Interference | 8 | 7.0% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 6.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability 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.