FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 August 2016
Introduction
On 29 August 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1173 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 333 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1173
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (378)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (152)
Where the complaints came from
On 29 August 2016, the 1173 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 749 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 152 | 13.0% |
| Texas | 87 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 83 | 7.1% |
| New York | 71 | 6.1% |
| Maryland | 66 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 55 | 4.7% |
| New Jersey | 39 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.1% |
| Illinois | 36 | 3.1% |
| Arizona | 35 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 513 | 43.7% |
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 842 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 842 | 71.8% |
| Internet | 161 | 13.7% |
| TV | 109 | 9.3% |
| Radio | 57 | 4.9% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
842 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 378 | 44.9% |
| Robocalls | 257 | 30.5% |
| Billing | 91 | 10.8% |
| Equipment | 37 | 4.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 19 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
161 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 28.6% |
| Availability | 41 | 25.5% |
| Speed | 25 | 15.5% |
| Privacy | 16 | 9.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 15 | 9.3% |
| Interference | 11 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 42.2% |
| Availability | 25 | 22.9% |
| Equipment | 12 | 11.0% |
| Indecency | 12 | 11.0% |
| Interference | 8 | 7.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 4.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 42 | 73.7% |
| Pirate Radio | 5 | 8.8% |
| Indecency | 4 | 7.0% |
| Billing | 3 | 5.3% |
| Availability | 2 | 3.5% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 1.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Pirate Radio, 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.