FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 July 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1363 consumer complaints on Thursday, 7 July 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1091 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 49 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
- 1363
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (360)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (181)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1363 complaints were recorded on 7 July 2016, with reports originating from 845 cities in 49 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 181 | 13.3% |
| Illinois | 135 | 9.9% |
| Texas | 100 | 7.3% |
| Florida | 98 | 7.2% |
| New York | 63 | 4.6% |
| Maryland | 49 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 44 | 3.2% |
| Ohio | 40 | 2.9% |
| Wisconsin | 39 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 569 | 41.7% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 113 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 789 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 789 | 57.9% |
| Internet | 406 | 29.8% |
| TV | 142 | 10.4% |
| Radio | 24 | 1.8% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
789 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 57.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 360 | 45.6% |
| Robocalls | 209 | 26.5% |
| Billing | 88 | 11.2% |
| Privacy | 35 | 4.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 33 | 4.2% |
| Equipment | 31 | 3.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 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
406 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 29.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 212 | 52.2% |
| Billing | 83 | 20.4% |
| Availability | 42 | 10.3% |
| Speed | 25 | 6.2% |
| Equipment | 18 | 4.4% |
| Interference | 14 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 12 | 3.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
142 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 66 | 46.5% |
| Availability | 39 | 27.5% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.7% |
| Indecency | 10 | 7.0% |
| Interference | 7 | 4.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 4.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.4% |
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.