FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 September 2016
Introduction
On Tuesday, 27 September 2016, 1239 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1115 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1239
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (394)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (146)
Where the complaints came from
The 1239 complaints recorded on 27 September 2016 were submitted from 823 cities across 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 146 | 11.8% |
| Florida | 98 | 7.9% |
| Maryland | 72 | 5.8% |
| Texas | 67 | 5.4% |
| New York | 61 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 60 | 4.8% |
| Ohio | 47 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 46 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 44 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 40 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 555 | 44.8% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 893 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 893 | 72.1% |
| Internet | 179 | 14.4% |
| TV | 120 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 35 | 2.8% |
| Emergency | 7 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
893 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 394 | 44.1% |
| Robocalls | 212 | 23.7% |
| Billing | 138 | 15.5% |
| Equipment | 40 | 4.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 25 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 24 | 2.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 20 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.3% |
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
179 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 31.3% |
| Availability | 35 | 19.6% |
| Speed | 27 | 15.1% |
| Interference | 18 | 10.1% |
| Privacy | 18 | 10.1% |
| Equipment | 17 | 9.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 4.5% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
120 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 66 | 55.0% |
| Availability | 19 | 15.8% |
| Equipment | 13 | 10.8% |
| Indecency | 8 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 8 | 6.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
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 2.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 24 | 68.6% |
| Indecency | 5 | 14.3% |
| Billing | 3 | 8.6% |
| Availability | 1 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.9% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 2.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Indecency, 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.