FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 October 2016
Introduction
On Thursday, 6 October 2016, 1052 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 1001 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 50 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
- 1052
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) (284)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (125)
Where the complaints came from
The 1052 complaints recorded on 6 October 2016 were submitted from 677 cities across 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 125 | 11.9% |
| Texas | 105 | 10.0% |
| Michigan | 71 | 6.7% |
| New York | 55 | 5.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 47 | 4.5% |
| Washington | 47 | 4.5% |
| Florida | 45 | 4.3% |
| Minnesota | 35 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 34 | 3.2% |
| Georgia | 32 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 456 | 43.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 703 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 703 | 66.8% |
| Internet | 244 | 23.2% |
| TV | 80 | 7.6% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.7% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
703 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 284 | 40.4% |
| Robocalls | 139 | 19.8% |
| Billing | 111 | 15.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 59 | 8.4% |
| Equipment | 31 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 21 | 3.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 20 | 2.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 13 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
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
244 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 81 | 33.2% |
| Billing | 69 | 28.3% |
| Availability | 31 | 12.7% |
| Speed | 26 | 10.7% |
| Interference | 16 | 6.6% |
| Equipment | 12 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 9 | 3.7% |
Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
80 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 57.5% |
| Availability | 15 | 18.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 8.8% |
| Indecency | 6 | 7.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.5% |
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.