FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 August 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1380 consumer complaints on 2 August 2016 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1032 complaints 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
- 1380
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (386)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (164)
Where the complaints came from
On 2 August 2016, the 1380 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 870 cities across 52 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 164 | 11.9% |
| Texas | 131 | 9.5% |
| Illinois | 100 | 7.2% |
| Florida | 90 | 6.5% |
| Maryland | 76 | 5.5% |
| New York | 66 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 60 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 52 | 3.8% |
| Virginia | 48 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 40 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 551 | 39.9% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 101 different cities.
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 934 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 934 | 67.7% |
| Internet | 233 | 16.9% |
| TV | 154 | 11.2% |
| Radio | 50 | 3.6% |
| Emergency | 6 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
934 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 386 | 41.3% |
| Robocalls | 250 | 26.8% |
| Billing | 113 | 12.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 47 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 42 | 4.5% |
| Privacy | 35 | 3.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 24 | 2.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.4% |
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
233 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 80 | 34.3% |
| Availability | 55 | 23.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 34 | 14.6% |
| Speed | 20 | 8.6% |
| Equipment | 18 | 7.7% |
| Privacy | 16 | 6.9% |
| Interference | 10 | 4.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
TV complaints
154 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 39.0% |
| Availability | 35 | 22.7% |
| Equipment | 20 | 13.0% |
| Indecency | 20 | 13.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 5.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 1.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
50 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 42 | 84.0% |
| Availability | 4 | 8.0% |
| Billing | 2 | 4.0% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference 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.