FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 October 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 430 consumer complaints on 1 October 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1077 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 47 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 430
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (103)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (66)
Where the complaints came from
On 1 October 2016, the 430 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 358 cities across 47 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 66 | 15.3% |
| Florida | 42 | 9.8% |
| Texas | 34 | 7.9% |
| New York | 23 | 5.3% |
| Maryland | 20 | 4.7% |
| Ohio | 16 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 14 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 13 | 3.0% |
| Michigan | 12 | 2.8% |
| New Jersey | 12 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 178 | 41.4% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 49 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 251 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 251 | 58.4% |
| Internet | 90 | 20.9% |
| TV | 74 | 17.2% |
| Radio | 12 | 2.8% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
251 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 58.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 103 | 41.0% |
| Robocalls | 47 | 18.7% |
| Billing | 38 | 15.1% |
| Equipment | 18 | 7.2% |
| Privacy | 12 | 4.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 4.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 9 | 3.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 2.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 1.2% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 33.3% |
| Speed | 17 | 18.9% |
| Availability | 13 | 14.4% |
| Privacy | 11 | 12.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 8.9% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.6% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
74 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 43.2% |
| Availability | 13 | 17.6% |
| Indecency | 11 | 14.9% |
| Equipment | 7 | 9.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 8.1% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing 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.