FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 August 2016
Introduction
A total of 1258 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 9 August 2016, this represented an increase from the 1067 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than 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
- 1258
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (420)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (172)
Where the complaints came from
The 1258 complaints recorded on 9 August 2016 were submitted from 811 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 172 | 13.7% |
| Texas | 93 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 91 | 7.2% |
| New York | 70 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 58 | 4.6% |
| Maryland | 57 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 43 | 3.4% |
| Arizona | 38 | 3.0% |
| Ohio | 38 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 552 | 43.9% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 108 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 918 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 918 | 73.0% |
| Internet | 170 | 13.5% |
| TV | 136 | 10.8% |
| Radio | 33 | 2.6% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
918 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 420 | 45.8% |
| Robocalls | 242 | 26.4% |
| Billing | 101 | 11.0% |
| Privacy | 36 | 3.9% |
| Equipment | 35 | 3.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 28 | 3.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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
170 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 29.4% |
| Availability | 43 | 25.3% |
| Speed | 29 | 17.1% |
| Privacy | 16 | 9.4% |
| Interference | 15 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 12 | 7.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 2.9% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
136 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 66 | 48.5% |
| Availability | 28 | 20.6% |
| Equipment | 17 | 12.5% |
| Indecency | 9 | 6.6% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.9% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
33 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 22 | 66.7% |
| Billing | 3 | 9.1% |
| Indecency | 3 | 9.1% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 6.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 6.1% |
| Availability | 1 | 3.0% |
Interference and Billing 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.