FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 June 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1193 consumer complaints on Tuesday, 21 June 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 926 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1193
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (375)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (172)
Where the complaints came from
On 21 June 2016, the 1193 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 777 cities across 50 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 172 | 14.4% |
| Texas | 97 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 85 | 7.1% |
| New York | 61 | 5.1% |
| Georgia | 58 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 4.2% |
| North Carolina | 49 | 4.1% |
| Maryland | 40 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 39 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 502 | 42.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 845 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 845 | 70.8% |
| Internet | 189 | 15.8% |
| TV | 126 | 10.6% |
| Radio | 29 | 2.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
845 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 375 | 44.4% |
| Robocalls | 202 | 23.9% |
| Billing | 122 | 14.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 41 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 33 | 3.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 24 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 17 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
| 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
189 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 59 | 31.2% |
| Availability | 40 | 21.2% |
| Speed | 27 | 14.3% |
| Interference | 21 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 15 | 7.9% |
| Privacy | 15 | 7.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 12 | 6.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
126 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 41.3% |
| Availability | 31 | 24.6% |
| Equipment | 12 | 9.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 7.9% |
| Indecency | 9 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 8 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.2% |
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.