FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 July 2016
Introduction
A total of 1201 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 28 July 2016, this was higher than the 1116 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 49 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
- 1201
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (429)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (149)
Where the complaints came from
The 1201 complaints recorded on 28 July 2016 originated from 813 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 149 | 12.4% |
| Florida | 116 | 9.7% |
| Texas | 87 | 7.2% |
| New York | 60 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 48 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 47 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 46 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 43 | 3.6% |
| Maryland | 40 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 525 | 43.7% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 98 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 899 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 899 | 74.9% |
| Internet | 149 | 12.4% |
| TV | 123 | 10.2% |
| Radio | 26 | 2.2% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
899 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 429 | 47.7% |
| Robocalls | 221 | 24.6% |
| Billing | 109 | 12.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 37 | 4.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 24 | 2.7% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
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
149 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 26.2% |
| Availability | 32 | 21.5% |
| Speed | 23 | 15.4% |
| Interference | 15 | 10.1% |
| Equipment | 14 | 9.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 8.7% |
| Privacy | 13 | 8.7% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
123 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 54 | 43.9% |
| Availability | 29 | 23.6% |
| Equipment | 16 | 13.0% |
| Indecency | 9 | 7.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
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.