FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 July 2016
Introduction
On 21 July 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1169 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1101 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 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
- 1169
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (403)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (148)
Where the complaints came from
The 1169 complaints recorded on 21 July 2016 were submitted from 798 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. 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 | 148 | 12.7% |
| Florida | 126 | 10.8% |
| Texas | 82 | 7.0% |
| New York | 62 | 5.3% |
| Maryland | 58 | 5.0% |
| Georgia | 45 | 3.8% |
| Virginia | 45 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 41 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 479 | 41.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 838 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 838 | 71.7% |
| Internet | 182 | 15.6% |
| TV | 110 | 9.4% |
| Radio | 34 | 2.9% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
838 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 403 | 48.1% |
| Robocalls | 221 | 26.4% |
| Billing | 78 | 9.3% |
| Privacy | 36 | 4.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 33 | 3.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 2.3% |
| Equipment | 18 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
182 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 63 | 34.6% |
| Availability | 40 | 22.0% |
| Speed | 30 | 16.5% |
| Privacy | 16 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 13 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 12 | 6.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 4.4% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 47.3% |
| Availability | 27 | 24.5% |
| Equipment | 13 | 11.8% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 6.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
34 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 21 | 61.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 11.8% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 8.8% |
| Availability | 2 | 5.9% |
| Indecency | 2 | 5.9% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.9% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.9% |
Interference and Equipment were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.