FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 October 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1188 consumer complaints on 4 October 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 954 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints relating to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1188
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (335)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (145)
Where the complaints came from
The 1188 complaints recorded on 4 October 2016 originated from 821 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 145 | 12.2% |
| Texas | 106 | 8.9% |
| Florida | 88 | 7.4% |
| New York | 74 | 6.2% |
| Illinois | 65 | 5.5% |
| Ohio | 49 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 47 | 4.0% |
| New Jersey | 39 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 38 | 3.2% |
| North Carolina | 36 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 499 | 42.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 850 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 850 | 71.5% |
| Internet | 160 | 13.5% |
| TV | 143 | 12.0% |
| Radio | 27 | 2.3% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
850 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 335 | 39.4% |
| Robocalls | 198 | 23.3% |
| Billing | 148 | 17.4% |
| Equipment | 44 | 5.2% |
| Privacy | 36 | 4.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 14 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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
160 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 37.5% |
| Availability | 30 | 18.8% |
| Speed | 28 | 17.5% |
| Interference | 14 | 8.8% |
| Privacy | 12 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 11 | 6.9% |
| 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
143 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 73 | 51.0% |
| Availability | 26 | 18.2% |
| Equipment | 17 | 11.9% |
| Indecency | 12 | 8.4% |
| Interference | 9 | 6.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.4% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.