FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 June 2016

Introduction

A total of 1210 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 28 June 2016, complaint volume increased from 1007 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1210
States & territories reporting
50
Most common issue
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (364)
Most reported state/territory
California (165)

Where the complaints came from

The 1210 complaints recorded on 28 June 2016 originated from 805 cities across 50 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.

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 165 13.6%
Texas 117 9.7%
Florida 104 8.6%
New York 68 5.6%
Pennsylvania 63 5.2%
Maryland 51 4.2%
Georgia 50 4.1%
Ohio 42 3.5%
Illinois 39 3.2%
Michigan 36 3.0%
Other states and territories 472 39.0%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 836 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 836 69.1%
Internet 193 16.0%
TV 139 11.5%
Radio 38 3.1%
Emergency 2 0.2%
Accessibility 1 0.1%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

836 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) 364 43.5%
Robocalls 195 23.3%
Billing 110 13.2%
Equipment 39 4.7%
Availability (including rural call completion) 33 3.9%
Privacy 33 3.9%
Junk Faxes 24 2.9%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 17 2.0%
Interference (including signal jammers) 12 1.4%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 6 0.7%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 2 0.2%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 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

193 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 59 30.6%
Availability 53 27.5%
Speed 29 15.0%
Interference 14 7.3%
Privacy 14 7.3%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 13 6.7%
Equipment 11 5.7%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.

TV complaints

139 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 70 50.4%
Availability 23 16.5%
Equipment 15 10.8%
Indecency 11 7.9%
Interference 11 7.9%
Loud Commercials 5 3.6%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 2 1.4%
Privacy 2 1.4%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Radio complaints

38 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Interference 30 78.9%
Indecency 5 13.2%
Pirate Radio 2 5.3%
Commercials/Promotions 1 2.6%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 28 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.