FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 June 2016

Introduction

A total of 524 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 25 June 2016, this represented a decline from the 1013 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 44 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.

Key statistics

Total complaints
524
States & territories reporting
44
Most common issue
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (132)
Most reported state/territory
California (78)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 524 complaints were recorded on 25 June 2016, with reports originating from 368 cities in 44 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 41 of the 58 complaints recorded in the state.

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 78 14.9%
Florida 60 11.5%
Maryland 58 11.1%
Texas 40 7.6%
North Carolina 20 3.8%
New York 20 3.8%
Georgia 18 3.4%
Pennsylvania 16 3.1%
Illinois 15 2.9%
Virginia 15 2.9%
Other states and territories 184 35.1%

Location highlights

  • Complaints in Maryland were heavily concentrated in Frederick, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
  • California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 63 different cities.

What the complaints were about

A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 303 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 303 57.8%
Internet 115 21.9%
TV 58 11.1%
Radio 46 8.8%
Emergency 2 0.4%

Phone complaints

303 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 57.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) 132 43.6%
Robocalls 73 24.1%
Billing 34 11.2%
Privacy 17 5.6%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 13 4.3%
Equipment 12 4.0%
Availability (including rural call completion) 8 2.6%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 6 2.0%
Interference (including signal jammers) 4 1.3%
Junk Faxes 3 1.0%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 0.3%

Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Internet complaints

115 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 38 33.0%
Speed 19 16.5%
Interference 17 14.8%
Availability 16 13.9%
Billing 13 11.3%
Equipment 8 7.0%
Privacy 4 3.5%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Open Internet/Net Neutrality, Speed and Interference among the most common.

TV complaints

58 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 21 36.2%
Equipment 11 19.0%
Availability 10 17.2%
Loud Commercials 9 15.5%
Interference 3 5.2%
Privacy 2 3.4%
Indecency 1 1.7%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.7%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability among the most common.

Radio complaints

46 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Interference 44 95.7%
Billing 1 2.2%
Equipment 1 2.2%

Interference and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 25 June 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.