FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 May 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 2260 consumer complaints on 24 May 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1002 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Open Internet/Net Neutrality was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 2260
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Open Internet/Net Neutrality (544)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (338)
Where the complaints came from
Across 1210 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 2260 complaints were recorded on 24 May 2016. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Rhode Island, where Providence accounted for 26 of the 32 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 338 | 15.0% |
| Texas | 237 | 10.5% |
| Florida | 179 | 7.9% |
| Illinois | 105 | 4.6% |
| New York | 96 | 4.2% |
| Maryland | 87 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 84 | 3.7% |
| Michigan | 78 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 69 | 3.1% |
| Ohio | 67 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 913 | 40.4% |
Location highlight
Providence accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Rhode Island.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Internet, which accounted for 1114 reports. This was followed by Phone, which accounted for 969 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Internet | 1114 | 49.3% |
| Phone | 969 | 42.9% |
| TV | 129 | 5.7% |
| Radio | 43 | 1.9% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.2% |
Internet complaints
1114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 49.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 533 | 47.8% |
| Billing | 288 | 25.9% |
| Availability | 123 | 11.0% |
| Speed | 115 | 10.3% |
| Interference | 25 | 2.2% |
| Equipment | 15 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.3% |
Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Phone complaints
969 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 42.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 489 | 50.5% |
| Robocalls | 211 | 21.8% |
| Billing | 92 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 42 | 4.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 31 | 3.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 3.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 27 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 21 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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
129 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 43.4% |
| Availability | 25 | 19.4% |
| Indecency | 12 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 10 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 10 | 7.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 3.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 1.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 32 | 74.4% |
| Indecency | 3 | 7.0% |
| Availability | 2 | 4.7% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.7% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 2.3% |
Interference and Indecency 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.