FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 August 2016
Introduction
On Saturday, 20 August 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 514 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1270 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 46 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of 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
- 514
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (150)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (72)
Where the complaints came from
On 20 August 2016, the 514 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 385 cities across 46 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 72 | 14.0% |
| Florida | 44 | 8.6% |
| Texas | 32 | 6.2% |
| Georgia | 29 | 5.6% |
| New York | 25 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 18 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 17 | 3.3% |
| Maryland | 17 | 3.3% |
| New Jersey | 17 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 221 | 43.0% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 332 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 332 | 64.6% |
| Internet | 101 | 19.6% |
| TV | 60 | 11.7% |
| Radio | 16 | 3.1% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
332 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 150 | 45.2% |
| Robocalls | 95 | 28.6% |
| Billing | 28 | 8.4% |
| Privacy | 16 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 14 | 4.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 2.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.3% |
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
101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 25.7% |
| Speed | 22 | 21.8% |
| Availability | 15 | 14.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 12.9% |
| Privacy | 10 | 9.9% |
| Interference | 9 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.9% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
60 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 45.0% |
| Availability | 8 | 13.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 13.3% |
| Equipment | 6 | 10.0% |
| Indecency | 6 | 10.0% |
| Interference | 3 | 5.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.7% |
Billing was the most commonly reported issue in this category, while other issues occurred less frequently.
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.