FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 October 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 3721 consumer complaints on Friday, 7 October 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1052 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 53 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Open Internet/Net Neutrality was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 3721
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Open Internet/Net Neutrality (1519)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (653)
Where the complaints came from
The 3721 complaints recorded on 7 October 2016 originated from 1243 cities across 53 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, a significant concentration was observed in Nevada, where Las vegas accounted for 30 of the 35 complaints recorded.
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 | 653 | 17.5% |
| Washington | 393 | 10.6% |
| Colorado | 316 | 8.5% |
| Texas | 291 | 7.8% |
| Michigan | 263 | 7.1% |
| Minnesota | 223 | 6.0% |
| Oregon | 199 | 5.3% |
| Utah | 126 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 122 | 3.3% |
| Florida | 105 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 1028 | 27.6% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Nevada were heavily concentrated in Las vegas, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
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 Internet, which accounted for 2868 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Internet | 2868 | 77.1% |
| Phone | 680 | 18.3% |
| TV | 139 | 3.7% |
| Radio | 30 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.1% |
Internet complaints
2868 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1511 | 52.7% |
| Billing | 816 | 28.5% |
| Availability | 321 | 11.2% |
| Speed | 123 | 4.3% |
| Interference | 69 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 14 | 0.5% |
| Privacy | 14 | 0.5% |
Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Phone complaints
680 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 260 | 38.2% |
| Robocalls | 133 | 19.6% |
| Billing | 112 | 16.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 58 | 8.5% |
| Privacy | 32 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 27 | 4.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 16 | 2.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 5 | 0.7% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), Robocalls and Billing.
TV complaints
139 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 41.0% |
| Indecency | 29 | 20.9% |
| Availability | 16 | 11.5% |
| Equipment | 15 | 10.8% |
| Interference | 8 | 5.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 2.2% |
Billing and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
30 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 0.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 18 | 60.0% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 5 | 16.7% |
| Indecency | 3 | 10.0% |
| Billing | 2 | 6.7% |
| Availability | 1 | 3.3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3.3% |
Interference and Commercials/Promotions 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.