FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 August 2016
Introduction
On 13 August 2016, 459 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1197 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 46 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 459
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (128)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (56)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 13 August 2016 show 459 complaints originating from 370 cities across 46 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 56 | 12.2% |
| Florida | 39 | 8.5% |
| Texas | 34 | 7.4% |
| Illinois | 25 | 5.4% |
| Maryland | 23 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 22 | 4.8% |
| Washington | 22 | 4.8% |
| Ohio | 21 | 4.6% |
| New York | 17 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 15 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 185 | 40.3% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 258 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 258 | 56.2% |
| Internet | 92 | 20.0% |
| TV | 86 | 18.7% |
| Radio | 19 | 4.1% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
258 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 56.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 128 | 49.6% |
| Robocalls | 62 | 24.0% |
| Billing | 19 | 7.4% |
| Equipment | 17 | 6.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 9 | 3.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 6 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 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
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 39.1% |
| Availability | 22 | 23.9% |
| Interference | 10 | 10.9% |
| Speed | 10 | 10.9% |
| Privacy | 7 | 7.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 3.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 34.9% |
| Availability | 25 | 29.1% |
| Indecency | 15 | 17.4% |
| Interference | 6 | 7.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 4.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.3% |
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.