FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 May 2016

Introduction

On 22 May 2016, 316 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 453 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 45 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Billing recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.

Key statistics

Total complaints
316
States & territories reporting
45
Most common issue
Billing (65)
Most reported state/territory
California (51)

Where the complaints came from

Reports recorded on 22 May 2016 show 316 complaints originating from 243 cities across 45 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 51 16.1%
Florida 27 8.5%
Texas 23 7.3%
Ohio 16 5.1%
Pennsylvania 13 4.1%
Kentucky 12 3.8%
New York 12 3.8%
Washington 11 3.5%
Illinois 9 2.8%
Michigan 9 2.8%
Other states and territories 133 42.1%

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 157 reports. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 99 complaints.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 157 49.7%
Internet 99 31.3%
TV 50 15.8%
Radio 8 2.5%
Accessibility 1 0.3%
Emergency 1 0.3%

Phone complaints

157 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 49.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) 60 38.2%
Robocalls 34 21.7%
Billing 21 13.4%
Availability (including rural call completion) 12 7.6%
Equipment 11 7.0%
Privacy 8 5.1%
Interference (including signal jammers) 4 2.5%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 3 1.9%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 2 1.3%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 2 1.3%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), Robocalls and Billing.

Internet complaints

99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 31.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 27 27.3%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 24 24.2%
Speed 19 19.2%
Availability 17 17.2%
Privacy 8 8.1%
Interference 4 4.0%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Speed.

TV complaints

50 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 17 34.0%
Billing 17 34.0%
Equipment 6 12.0%
Loud Commercials 6 12.0%
Indecency 3 6.0%
Interference 1 2.0%

Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 22 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.