FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 July 2016
Introduction
A total of 876 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Friday, 1 July 2016, this was lower than the 1066 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 49 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
- 876
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (287)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (121)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 1 July 2016 show 876 complaints originating from 628 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location 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 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 | 121 | 13.8% |
| Florida | 90 | 10.3% |
| Texas | 54 | 6.2% |
| Ohio | 52 | 5.9% |
| New York | 38 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 36 | 4.1% |
| Maryland | 33 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 30 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 27 | 3.1% |
| Michigan | 26 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 369 | 42.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 615 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 615 | 70.2% |
| Internet | 144 | 16.4% |
| TV | 85 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 24 | 2.7% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
615 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 287 | 46.7% |
| Robocalls | 152 | 24.7% |
| Billing | 65 | 10.6% |
| Equipment | 26 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 23 | 3.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 3.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 14 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
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
144 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 25.0% |
| Availability | 35 | 24.3% |
| Speed | 25 | 17.4% |
| Interference | 15 | 10.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 9.0% |
| Privacy | 11 | 7.6% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
85 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 37 | 43.5% |
| Availability | 21 | 24.7% |
| Equipment | 9 | 10.6% |
| Interference | 8 | 9.4% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 4.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
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.