FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 September 2016
Introduction
A total of 1381 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Monday, 19 September 2016, this represented an increase from the 494 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California accounting for the largest number of submissions at 180 complaints. Billing was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1381
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Billing (401)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (180)
Where the complaints came from
The 1381 complaints recorded on 19 September 2016 originated from 948 cities across 52 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 180 | 13.0% |
| Florida | 80 | 5.8% |
| Texas | 80 | 5.8% |
| Ohio | 79 | 5.7% |
| New York | 76 | 5.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 66 | 4.8% |
| Maryland | 54 | 3.9% |
| Michigan | 48 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 47 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 47 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 622 | 45.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1016 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1016 | 73.6% |
| Internet | 194 | 14.0% |
| TV | 134 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 32 | 2.3% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1016 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 358 | 35.2% |
| Billing | 261 | 25.7% |
| Robocalls | 242 | 23.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 2.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 29 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 25 | 2.5% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 1.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
194 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 71 | 36.6% |
| Availability | 46 | 23.7% |
| Speed | 24 | 12.4% |
| Privacy | 20 | 10.3% |
| Interference | 12 | 6.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 12 | 6.2% |
| Equipment | 9 | 4.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
134 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 69 | 51.5% |
| Availability | 20 | 14.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 11 | 8.2% |
| Privacy | 9 | 6.7% |
| Indecency | 8 | 6.0% |
| Interference | 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
32 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 24 | 75.0% |
| Equipment | 3 | 9.4% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 9.4% |
| Availability | 1 | 3.1% |
| Indecency | 1 | 3.1% |
Interference and Equipment 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.