FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 September 2016
Introduction
On Sunday, 4 September 2016, 247 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 416 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 40 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
- 247
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Billing (56)
- Most reported state/territory
- Maryland (27)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 247 complaints were recorded on 4 September 2016, with reports originating from 193 cities in 40 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 27 | 10.9% |
| California | 26 | 10.5% |
| Texas | 25 | 10.1% |
| Florida | 19 | 7.7% |
| Georgia | 13 | 5.3% |
| Illinois | 11 | 4.5% |
| Ohio | 11 | 4.5% |
| New York | 9 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 9 | 3.6% |
| Washington | 9 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 88 | 35.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 114 reports. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 63 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 114 | 46.2% |
| Internet | 63 | 25.5% |
| TV | 40 | 16.2% |
| Radio | 28 | 11.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 46.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 37 | 32.5% |
| Billing | 28 | 24.6% |
| Robocalls | 24 | 21.1% |
| Privacy | 9 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 3.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 3 | 2.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.9% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), Billing and Robocalls.
Internet complaints
63 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 18 | 28.6% |
| Billing | 18 | 28.6% |
| Privacy | 8 | 12.7% |
| Interference | 7 | 11.1% |
| Speed | 6 | 9.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.2% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Privacy.
TV complaints
40 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 11 | 27.5% |
| Billing | 10 | 25.0% |
| Equipment | 5 | 12.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 12.5% |
| Indecency | 3 | 7.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 7.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 7.5% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Equipment.
Radio complaints
28 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 25 | 89.3% |
| Availability | 1 | 3.6% |
| Indecency | 1 | 3.6% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 3.6% |
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.