FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 August 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1243 consumer complaints on 10 August 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1258 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1243
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (415)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (160)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 10 August 2016 show 1243 complaints originating from 774 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 160 | 12.9% |
| Florida | 113 | 9.1% |
| Texas | 99 | 8.0% |
| New York | 69 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 61 | 4.9% |
| Maryland | 53 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 49 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 46 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 44 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 38 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 510 | 41.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 915 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 915 | 73.6% |
| Internet | 160 | 12.9% |
| TV | 127 | 10.2% |
| Radio | 33 | 2.7% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
915 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 415 | 45.4% |
| Robocalls | 266 | 29.1% |
| Billing | 86 | 9.4% |
| Privacy | 36 | 3.9% |
| Equipment | 33 | 3.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 3.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 1.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
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
160 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 30.6% |
| Availability | 37 | 23.1% |
| Speed | 24 | 15.0% |
| Privacy | 20 | 12.5% |
| Interference | 11 | 6.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.0% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
127 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 40.2% |
| Availability | 37 | 29.1% |
| Indecency | 13 | 10.2% |
| Equipment | 10 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 8 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 2.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
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 2.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 25 | 75.8% |
| Availability | 2 | 6.1% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 6.1% |
| Billing | 1 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3.0% |
| Indecency | 1 | 3.0% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 3.0% |
Interference and Availability 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.