FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 July 2016
Introduction
A total of 1057 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 22 July 2016, this was lower than the 1169 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California accounting for the largest number of submissions at 146 complaints. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1057
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (350)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (146)
Where the complaints came from
On 22 July 2016, the 1057 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 703 cities across 50 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 146 | 13.8% |
| Florida | 73 | 6.9% |
| New York | 64 | 6.1% |
| Texas | 55 | 5.2% |
| Georgia | 53 | 5.0% |
| Washington | 43 | 4.1% |
| Maryland | 41 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 33 | 3.1% |
| Virginia | 33 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 475 | 44.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 763 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 763 | 72.2% |
| Internet | 171 | 16.2% |
| TV | 99 | 9.4% |
| Radio | 21 | 2.0% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
763 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 350 | 45.9% |
| Robocalls | 222 | 29.1% |
| Billing | 67 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 33 | 4.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 31 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 20 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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
171 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 36 | 21.1% |
| Interference | 19 | 11.1% |
| Speed | 18 | 10.5% |
| Equipment | 15 | 8.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 15 | 8.8% |
| Privacy | 11 | 6.4% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Interference among the most common.
TV complaints
99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 45.5% |
| Equipment | 15 | 15.2% |
| Availability | 14 | 14.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 10.1% |
| Interference | 7 | 7.1% |
| Indecency | 6 | 6.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Equipment, 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.