FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 June 2016

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1180 consumer complaints on 29 June 2016 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1210 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 48 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
1180
States & territories reporting
48
Most common issue
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (412)
Most reported state/territory
California (170)

Where the complaints came from

Across 790 cities in 48 states and territories, a total of 1180 complaints were recorded on 29 June 2016. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.

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 170 14.4%
Florida 91 7.7%
Texas 89 7.5%
New York 68 5.8%
Pennsylvania 68 5.8%
Maryland 47 4.0%
Georgia 44 3.7%
Ohio 41 3.5%
New Jersey 39 3.3%
Virginia 37 3.1%
Other states and territories 485 41.1%

What the complaints were about

A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 858 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 858 72.7%
Internet 178 15.1%
TV 106 9.0%
Radio 31 2.6%
Emergency 4 0.3%
Accessibility 3 0.3%

Phone complaints

858 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) 412 48.0%
Robocalls 211 24.6%
Billing 76 8.9%
Availability (including rural call completion) 37 4.3%
Equipment 35 4.1%
Privacy 32 3.7%
Junk Faxes 28 3.3%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 14 1.6%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 7 0.8%
Interference (including signal jammers) 4 0.5%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 2 0.2%

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

178 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 56 31.5%
Availability 47 26.4%
Speed 30 16.9%
Interference 14 7.9%
Equipment 12 6.7%
Privacy 12 6.7%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 7 3.9%

The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.

TV complaints

106 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 50 47.2%
Equipment 18 17.0%
Availability 17 16.0%
Indecency 7 6.6%
Interference 6 5.7%
Loud Commercials 6 5.7%
Privacy 2 1.9%

Billing and Equipment accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Radio complaints

31 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Interference 21 67.7%
Indecency 4 12.9%
Billing 2 6.5%
Pirate Radio 2 6.5%
Availability 1 3.2%
Commercials/Promotions 1 3.2%

Interference and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 29 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.