FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 September 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1131 consumer complaints on 12 September 2016 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 591 complaints the previous day. Submissions were made from 49 states and territories, with California accounting for the highest number of complaints at 161. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1131
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (289)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (161)
Where the complaints came from
The 1131 complaints recorded on 12 September 2016 were submitted from 797 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 161 | 14.2% |
| Texas | 80 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 73 | 6.5% |
| New York | 73 | 6.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 59 | 5.2% |
| Ohio | 52 | 4.6% |
| Georgia | 39 | 3.4% |
| Maryland | 39 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 33 | 2.9% |
| New Jersey | 28 | 2.5% |
| Other states and territories | 492 | 43.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 818 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 818 | 72.3% |
| Internet | 148 | 13.1% |
| TV | 117 | 10.3% |
| Radio | 40 | 3.5% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
818 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 289 | 35.3% |
| Robocalls | 222 | 27.1% |
| Billing | 169 | 20.7% |
| Equipment | 35 | 4.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 24 | 2.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 22 | 2.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 15 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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
148 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 40 | 27.0% |
| Billing | 40 | 27.0% |
| Speed | 25 | 16.9% |
| Privacy | 17 | 11.5% |
| Equipment | 12 | 8.1% |
| Interference | 8 | 5.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 4.1% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Speed.
TV complaints
117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 41.9% |
| Availability | 26 | 22.2% |
| Equipment | 15 | 12.8% |
| Indecency | 11 | 9.4% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 6 | 5.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 2.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
40 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 29 | 72.5% |
| Availability | 3 | 7.5% |
| Indecency | 3 | 7.5% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 7.5% |
| Billing | 2 | 5.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Availability, 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.