FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 August 2016
Introduction
A total of 1353 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 30 August 2016, complaint volume increased from 1173 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1353
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (416)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (185)
Where the complaints came from
Across 867 cities in 53 states and territories, a total of 1353 complaints were recorded on 30 August 2016. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 185 | 13.7% |
| Florida | 124 | 9.2% |
| Texas | 97 | 7.2% |
| New York | 63 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 61 | 4.5% |
| Maryland | 59 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 44 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 41 | 3.0% |
| Ohio | 41 | 3.0% |
| Washington | 41 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 592 | 43.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 974 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 974 | 72.0% |
| Internet | 197 | 14.6% |
| TV | 135 | 10.0% |
| Radio | 40 | 3.0% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
974 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 416 | 42.7% |
| Robocalls | 297 | 30.5% |
| Billing | 111 | 11.4% |
| Equipment | 33 | 3.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 29 | 3.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 23 | 2.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
197 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 27.9% |
| Availability | 49 | 24.9% |
| Speed | 30 | 15.2% |
| Interference | 22 | 11.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 14 | 7.1% |
| Privacy | 14 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 13 | 6.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
135 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 70 | 51.9% |
| Availability | 20 | 14.8% |
| Equipment | 18 | 13.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 5.9% |
| Indecency | 7 | 5.2% |
| Interference | 7 | 5.2% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.7% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
40 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 33 | 82.5% |
| Availability | 2 | 5.0% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 5.0% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.5% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.5% |
| Indecency | 1 | 2.5% |
Interference and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported 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.