FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 May 2016
Introduction
On Thursday, 19 May 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1244 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1639 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1244
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (442)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (178)
Where the complaints came from
The 1244 complaints recorded on 19 May 2016 originated from 794 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 178 | 14.3% |
| Florida | 126 | 10.1% |
| Texas | 99 | 8.0% |
| Missouri | 57 | 4.6% |
| New York | 55 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 52 | 4.2% |
| Maryland | 45 | 3.6% |
| Ohio | 43 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 42 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 503 | 40.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 928 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 928 | 74.6% |
| Internet | 183 | 14.7% |
| TV | 102 | 8.2% |
| Radio | 28 | 2.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
928 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 442 | 47.6% |
| Robocalls | 227 | 24.5% |
| Billing | 67 | 7.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 49 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 35 | 3.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 34 | 3.7% |
| Equipment | 32 | 3.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
| 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.
Internet complaints
183 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 30.1% |
| Availability | 46 | 25.1% |
| Speed | 29 | 15.8% |
| Interference | 18 | 9.8% |
| Privacy | 18 | 9.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 3.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 46.1% |
| Availability | 24 | 23.5% |
| Indecency | 12 | 11.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing 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.