FCC Consumer Complaints – 8 October 2016
Introduction
On 8 October 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1849 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 3721 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 47 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Open Internet/Net Neutrality recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1849
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Open Internet/Net Neutrality (769)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (352)
Where the complaints came from
The 1849 complaints recorded on 8 October 2016 were submitted from 769 cities across 47 states and territories. Complaint activity was somewhat more concentrated than usual, with California accounting for the largest share of reports. While complaints were reported across multiple cities, no individual location accounted for a significant share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 352 | 19.0% |
| Washington | 282 | 15.3% |
| Colorado | 156 | 8.4% |
| Oregon | 137 | 7.4% |
| Texas | 120 | 6.5% |
| Minnesota | 118 | 6.4% |
| Michigan | 88 | 4.8% |
| Illinois | 76 | 4.1% |
| Utah | 67 | 3.6% |
| Florida | 61 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 392 | 21.2% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Internet accounted for the largest share, with 1527 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Internet | 1527 | 82.6% |
| Phone | 201 | 10.9% |
| TV | 98 | 5.3% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.1% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Internet complaints
1527 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 763 | 50.0% |
| Billing | 419 | 27.4% |
| Availability | 196 | 12.8% |
| Speed | 78 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 54 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 10 | 0.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 0.5% |
Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Phone complaints
201 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 68 | 33.8% |
| Billing | 42 | 20.9% |
| Robocalls | 31 | 15.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 14 | 7.0% |
| Equipment | 14 | 7.0% |
| Privacy | 12 | 6.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 3.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 2.0% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.5% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), Billing and Robocalls among the most common.
TV complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 29.6% |
| Indecency | 26 | 26.5% |
| Availability | 13 | 13.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 7 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 6.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Indecency and Availability among the most 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.