FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 July 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 933 consumer complaints on 11 July 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 291 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 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
- 933
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (270)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (119)
Where the complaints came from
The 933 complaints recorded on 11 July 2016 were submitted from 650 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 119 | 12.8% |
| Florida | 89 | 9.5% |
| Texas | 75 | 8.0% |
| New York | 56 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 49 | 5.3% |
| Georgia | 45 | 4.8% |
| Maryland | 37 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 32 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 31 | 3.3% |
| Tennessee | 31 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 368 | 39.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 628 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 628 | 67.3% |
| Internet | 158 | 16.9% |
| TV | 117 | 12.5% |
| Radio | 27 | 2.9% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
628 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 270 | 43.0% |
| Robocalls | 167 | 26.6% |
| Billing | 83 | 13.2% |
| Equipment | 25 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 22 | 3.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 3.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.3% |
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
158 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 32.3% |
| Availability | 30 | 19.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 19 | 12.0% |
| Privacy | 18 | 11.4% |
| Speed | 18 | 11.4% |
| Interference | 11 | 7.0% |
| Equipment | 10 | 6.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
TV complaints
117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 47.0% |
| Availability | 22 | 18.8% |
| Equipment | 19 | 16.2% |
| Indecency | 8 | 6.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 6.0% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.7% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.