FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 September 2016

Introduction

On 10 September 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 927 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1354 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with Ohio reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Billing, accounting for 387 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
927
States & territories reporting
50
Most common issue
Billing (387)
Most reported state/territory
Ohio (98)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 927 complaints were recorded on 10 September 2016, with reports originating from 685 cities in 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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
Ohio 98 10.6%
California 83 9.0%
Florida 66 7.1%
New York 61 6.6%
Texas 52 5.6%
Pennsylvania 44 4.7%
Maryland 43 4.6%
Virginia 34 3.7%
Michigan 29 3.1%
Illinois 28 3.0%
Other states and territories 389 42.0%

Location highlight

Ohio had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 79 different cities.

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 642 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 642 69.3%
Internet 156 16.8%
TV 93 10.0%
Radio 35 3.8%
Emergency 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

642 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 281 43.8%
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) 150 23.4%
Robocalls 105 16.4%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 28 4.4%
Equipment 24 3.7%
Privacy 15 2.3%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 13 2.0%
Availability (including rural call completion) 12 1.9%
Interference (including signal jammers) 7 1.1%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 5 0.8%
Junk Faxes 2 0.3%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Internet complaints

156 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 61 39.1%
Privacy 24 15.4%
Availability 21 13.5%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 19 12.2%
Speed 18 11.5%
Equipment 10 6.4%
Interference 3 1.9%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Privacy and Availability.

TV complaints

93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 44 47.3%
Availability 20 21.5%
Equipment 11 11.8%
Loud Commercials 10 10.8%
Indecency 6 6.5%
Interference 1 1.1%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.1%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Radio complaints

35 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Interference 30 85.7%
Indecency 2 5.7%
Billing 1 2.9%
Commercials/Promotions 1 2.9%
Equipment 1 2.9%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 10 September 2016.

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.