FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 July 2016

Introduction

On 5 July 2016, 922 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 384 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 49 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
922
States & territories reporting
49
Most common issue
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (274)
Most reported state/territory
California (93)

Where the complaints came from

The 922 complaints recorded on 5 July 2016 were submitted from 630 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 93 10.1%
Florida 77 8.4%
Texas 65 7.0%
Maryland 57 6.2%
New York 46 5.0%
Georgia 45 4.9%
Pennsylvania 45 4.9%
Illinois 43 4.7%
Ohio 42 4.6%
Virginia 32 3.5%
Other states and territories 376 40.8%

Location highlight

California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 69 different cities.

What the complaints were about

A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 637 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 637 69.1%
Internet 144 15.6%
TV 99 10.7%
Radio 40 4.3%
Accessibility 1 0.1%
Emergency 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

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

Issue Complaints Share
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) 274 43.0%
Robocalls 155 24.3%
Billing 86 13.5%
Equipment 32 5.0%
Availability (including rural call completion) 27 4.2%
Privacy 22 3.5%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 12 1.9%
Junk Faxes 10 1.6%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 9 1.4%
Interference (including signal jammers) 7 1.1%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 2 0.3%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 1 0.2%

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

144 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 52 36.1%
Availability 30 20.8%
Speed 18 12.5%
Interference 14 9.7%
Equipment 11 7.6%
Privacy 10 6.9%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 9 6.3%

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

TV complaints

99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 51 51.5%
Availability 21 21.2%
Loud Commercials 9 9.1%
Equipment 7 7.1%
Indecency 4 4.0%
Interference 4 4.0%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 2 2.0%
Privacy 1 1.0%

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

Radio complaints

40 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Interference 36 90.0%
Indecency 2 5.0%
Commercials/Promotions 1 2.5%
Pirate Radio 1 2.5%

Interference and Indecency 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 5 July 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.