FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 September 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1346 consumer complaints on Wednesday, 21 September 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1492 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1346
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (404)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (180)
Where the complaints came from
The 1346 complaints recorded on 21 September 2016 were submitted from 916 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 180 | 13.4% |
| Florida | 106 | 7.9% |
| Texas | 99 | 7.4% |
| New York | 81 | 6.0% |
| Ohio | 62 | 4.6% |
| Illinois | 58 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 49 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 48 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 45 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 41 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 576 | 42.8% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1006 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1006 | 74.7% |
| Internet | 179 | 13.3% |
| TV | 131 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 26 | 1.9% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1006 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 404 | 40.2% |
| Robocalls | 235 | 23.4% |
| Billing | 205 | 20.4% |
| Equipment | 43 | 4.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 29 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 29 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.3% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
179 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 62 | 34.6% |
| Availability | 32 | 17.9% |
| Interference | 26 | 14.5% |
| Privacy | 22 | 12.3% |
| Speed | 19 | 10.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 14 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 2.2% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Interference.
TV complaints
131 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 40.5% |
| Equipment | 22 | 16.8% |
| Indecency | 17 | 13.0% |
| Availability | 16 | 12.2% |
| Interference | 12 | 9.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 4.6% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing accounted for the largest share 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.