FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 August 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 561 consumer complaints on Saturday, 27 August 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1289 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
- 561
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (139)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (89)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 561 complaints were recorded on 27 August 2016, with reports originating from 407 cities in 46 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 26 of the 38 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 89 | 15.9% |
| Florida | 48 | 8.6% |
| Texas | 40 | 7.1% |
| Maryland | 38 | 6.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 30 | 5.3% |
| Illinois | 23 | 4.1% |
| New York | 22 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 20 | 3.6% |
| Washington | 18 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 16 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 217 | 38.7% |
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
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 334 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 334 | 59.5% |
| Internet | 108 | 19.3% |
| TV | 78 | 13.9% |
| Radio | 38 | 6.8% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
334 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 59.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 139 | 41.6% |
| Robocalls | 91 | 27.2% |
| Billing | 38 | 11.4% |
| Privacy | 25 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 16 | 4.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 2.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 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
108 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 38.0% |
| Speed | 20 | 18.5% |
| Availability | 17 | 15.7% |
| Privacy | 12 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 5.6% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
78 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 34.6% |
| Availability | 16 | 20.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 16.7% |
| Equipment | 8 | 10.3% |
| Indecency | 5 | 6.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials.
Radio complaints
38 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 34 | 89.5% |
| Availability | 2 | 5.3% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.6% |
| Indecency | 1 | 2.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference 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.