FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 July 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 974 consumer complaints on Monday, 18 July 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 298 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 974
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (308)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (122)
Where the complaints came from
The 974 complaints recorded on 18 July 2016 originated from 688 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 122 | 12.5% |
| Florida | 95 | 9.8% |
| Texas | 68 | 7.0% |
| New York | 63 | 6.5% |
| Maryland | 45 | 4.6% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 38 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 32 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 29 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 408 | 41.9% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 86 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 681 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 681 | 69.9% |
| Internet | 155 | 15.9% |
| TV | 107 | 11.0% |
| Radio | 27 | 2.8% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
681 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 308 | 45.2% |
| Robocalls | 172 | 25.3% |
| Billing | 72 | 10.6% |
| Equipment | 33 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 30 | 4.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 4.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
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
155 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 60 | 38.7% |
| Billing | 32 | 20.6% |
| Interference | 15 | 9.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 15 | 9.7% |
| Speed | 15 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.1% |
| Privacy | 7 | 4.5% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Interference.
TV complaints
107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 53.3% |
| Availability | 18 | 16.8% |
| Equipment | 10 | 9.3% |
| Interference | 8 | 7.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 6.5% |
| Indecency | 6 | 5.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
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.