FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 August 2016
Introduction
On 3 August 2016, 1235 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 1380 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1235
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (414)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (154)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 3 August 2016 show 1235 complaints originating from 793 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 154 | 12.5% |
| Texas | 102 | 8.3% |
| Florida | 91 | 7.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 68 | 5.5% |
| Georgia | 67 | 5.4% |
| Maryland | 57 | 4.6% |
| New York | 51 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 47 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 39 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 37 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 521 | 42.2% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 880 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 880 | 71.3% |
| Internet | 189 | 15.3% |
| TV | 142 | 11.5% |
| Radio | 23 | 1.9% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
880 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 414 | 47.0% |
| Robocalls | 259 | 29.4% |
| Billing | 84 | 9.5% |
| Privacy | 32 | 3.6% |
| Equipment | 28 | 3.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 19 | 2.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 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
189 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 30.7% |
| Availability | 36 | 19.0% |
| Speed | 28 | 14.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 23 | 12.2% |
| Equipment | 17 | 9.0% |
| Privacy | 17 | 9.0% |
| Interference | 10 | 5.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
142 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 75 | 52.8% |
| Availability | 31 | 21.8% |
| Indecency | 13 | 9.2% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.6% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.1% |
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.