FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 August 2016
Introduction
On 21 August 2016, 326 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 514 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 39 states and territories, with Maryland slightly ahead of the other locations. Billing recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 326
- States & territories reporting
- 39
- Most common issue
- Billing (57)
- Most reported state/territory
- Maryland (44)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 21 August 2016 show 326 complaints originating from 242 cities across 39 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, a significant concentration was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 36 of the 44 complaints recorded.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 44 | 13.5% |
| California | 39 | 12.0% |
| Florida | 23 | 7.1% |
| New York | 19 | 5.8% |
| Texas | 19 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 17 | 5.2% |
| Illinois | 15 | 4.6% |
| Washington | 13 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 12 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 9 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 116 | 35.6% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Maryland were heavily concentrated in Frederick, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 125 complaints. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 90 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 125 | 38.3% |
| Internet | 90 | 27.6% |
| TV | 65 | 19.9% |
| Radio | 42 | 12.9% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.6% |
Phone complaints
125 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 38.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Robocalls | 38 | 30.4% |
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 38 | 30.4% |
| Billing | 17 | 13.6% |
| Equipment | 9 | 7.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 5.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 2.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
Robocalls and Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 27.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 22.2% |
| Speed | 20 | 22.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 15 | 16.7% |
| Availability | 14 | 15.6% |
| Privacy | 11 | 12.2% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.4% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
TV complaints
65 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 30.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 18.5% |
| Availability | 10 | 15.4% |
| Indecency | 9 | 13.8% |
| Interference | 8 | 12.3% |
| Equipment | 4 | 6.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Loud Commercials and Availability.
Radio complaints
42 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 40 | 95.2% |
| Availability | 1 | 2.4% |
| Indecency | 1 | 2.4% |
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.