FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 August 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1299 consumer complaints on 25 August 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1336 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 53 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
- 1299
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (465)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (168)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 25 August 2016 show 1299 complaints originating from 835 cities across 53 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 | 168 | 12.9% |
| Texas | 107 | 8.2% |
| Florida | 103 | 7.9% |
| New York | 65 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 54 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 53 | 4.1% |
| Maryland | 52 | 4.0% |
| Washington | 50 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 42 | 3.2% |
| Georgia | 41 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 563 | 43.3% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 956 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 956 | 73.6% |
| Internet | 165 | 12.7% |
| TV | 139 | 10.7% |
| Radio | 28 | 2.2% |
| Emergency | 6 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
956 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 465 | 48.6% |
| Robocalls | 276 | 28.9% |
| Billing | 89 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 28 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 26 | 2.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 15 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
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
165 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 33.9% |
| Availability | 46 | 27.9% |
| Speed | 25 | 15.2% |
| Equipment | 12 | 7.3% |
| Privacy | 12 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 9 | 5.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 3.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
139 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 67 | 48.2% |
| Availability | 28 | 20.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 10.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.9% |
| Indecency | 11 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.7% |
Billing 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.