FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 July 2016
Introduction
On 17 July 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 298 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 478 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 42 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Billing recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 298
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Billing (53)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (43)
Where the complaints came from
The 298 complaints recorded on 17 July 2016 originated from 245 cities across 42 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 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 | 43 | 14.4% |
| Florida | 32 | 10.7% |
| Texas | 22 | 7.4% |
| Maryland | 21 | 7.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 5.4% |
| Illinois | 12 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 12 | 4.0% |
| New York | 11 | 3.7% |
| Washington | 10 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 9 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 110 | 36.9% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 37 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 132 complaints. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 89 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 132 | 44.3% |
| Internet | 89 | 29.9% |
| TV | 55 | 18.5% |
| Radio | 18 | 6.0% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
132 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 44.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 43 | 32.6% |
| Robocalls | 29 | 22.0% |
| Billing | 20 | 15.2% |
| Equipment | 12 | 9.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 9 | 6.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 4.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 3.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 1.5% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), Robocalls and Billing.
Internet complaints
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 29.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 22 | 24.7% |
| Billing | 21 | 23.6% |
| Speed | 12 | 13.5% |
| Privacy | 11 | 12.4% |
| Interference | 10 | 11.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Speed.
TV complaints
55 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 18 | 32.7% |
| Billing | 12 | 21.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 14.5% |
| Indecency | 6 | 10.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 10.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 5.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Equipment.
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.