FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 June 2016
Introduction
On Wednesday, 1 June 2016, 1174 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1108 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California 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
- 1174
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (364)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (136)
Where the complaints came from
The 1174 complaints recorded on 1 June 2016 were submitted from 768 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 136 | 11.6% |
| Texas | 103 | 8.8% |
| Florida | 93 | 7.9% |
| New York | 72 | 6.1% |
| Maryland | 64 | 5.5% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 39 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 39 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 37 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 499 | 42.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 93 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 801 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 801 | 68.2% |
| Internet | 183 | 15.6% |
| TV | 147 | 12.5% |
| Radio | 38 | 3.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
801 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 364 | 45.4% |
| Robocalls | 174 | 21.7% |
| Billing | 103 | 12.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 39 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 33 | 4.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 29 | 3.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 19 | 2.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
183 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 25.7% |
| Availability | 40 | 21.9% |
| Speed | 35 | 19.1% |
| Equipment | 16 | 8.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 16 | 8.7% |
| Privacy | 15 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 14 | 7.7% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
147 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 59 | 40.1% |
| Indecency | 21 | 14.3% |
| Availability | 19 | 12.9% |
| Interference | 19 | 12.9% |
| Equipment | 16 | 10.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.4% |
Billing accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
38 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 30 | 78.9% |
| Billing | 2 | 5.3% |
| Indecency | 2 | 5.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 5.3% |
| Availability | 1 | 2.6% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.6% |
Interference and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.