FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 September 2016
Introduction
A total of 1168 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 28 September 2016, complaint volume fell from 1239 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1168
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (378)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (154)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1168 complaints were recorded on 28 September 2016, with reports originating from 763 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 154 | 13.2% |
| Florida | 112 | 9.6% |
| Texas | 73 | 6.3% |
| New York | 67 | 5.7% |
| Illinois | 49 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 3.9% |
| Maryland | 41 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 40 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.1% |
| Michigan | 35 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 516 | 44.2% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 843 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 843 | 72.2% |
| Internet | 162 | 13.9% |
| TV | 124 | 10.6% |
| Radio | 34 | 2.9% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
843 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 378 | 44.8% |
| Robocalls | 213 | 25.3% |
| Billing | 97 | 11.5% |
| Equipment | 35 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 35 | 4.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 15 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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
162 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 32.7% |
| Availability | 36 | 22.2% |
| Speed | 22 | 13.6% |
| Interference | 21 | 13.0% |
| Privacy | 16 | 9.9% |
| Equipment | 9 | 5.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 3.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
124 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 48.4% |
| Availability | 26 | 21.0% |
| Equipment | 16 | 12.9% |
| Indecency | 6 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 4.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
34 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 15 | 44.1% |
| Indecency | 7 | 20.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 11.8% |
| Availability | 3 | 8.8% |
| Billing | 2 | 5.9% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 5.9% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 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.