FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 September 2016
Introduction
On 5 September 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 339 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 247 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 43 states and territories, with Texas recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 339
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (92)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (35)
Where the complaints came from
The 339 complaints recorded on 5 September 2016 were submitted from 249 cities across 43 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 35 | 10.3% |
| Maryland | 32 | 9.4% |
| California | 30 | 8.8% |
| Florida | 28 | 8.3% |
| New York | 20 | 5.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 17 | 5.0% |
| Illinois | 15 | 4.4% |
| New Jersey | 15 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 15 | 4.4% |
| Kentucky | 13 | 3.8% |
| Other states and territories | 119 | 35.1% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 173 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 173 | 51.0% |
| Internet | 82 | 24.2% |
| TV | 56 | 16.5% |
| Radio | 26 | 7.7% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.6% |
Phone complaints
173 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 51.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 92 | 53.2% |
| Robocalls | 25 | 14.5% |
| Billing | 17 | 9.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 5 | 2.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 2.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 2.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 2.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.2% |
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
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 24.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 22 | 26.8% |
| Availability | 20 | 24.4% |
| Speed | 14 | 17.1% |
| Privacy | 9 | 11.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 8.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 8.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.7% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
56 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 17 | 30.4% |
| Availability | 14 | 25.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 17.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 14.3% |
| Interference | 3 | 5.4% |
| Indecency | 2 | 3.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials.
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.