FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 October 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 543 consumer complaints on Sunday, 9 October 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1849 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 44 states and territories, with California recording the largest share of reports at 110 complaints. Complaints relating to Billing were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 543
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Billing (154)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (110)
Where the complaints came from
Across 358 cities in 44 states and territories, a total of 543 complaints were recorded on 9 October 2016. Compared with most days, complaint activity was more concentrated, with California contributing the largest share of complaints. Complaints at the city level were distributed across multiple locations, with no single city accounting for a notable share.
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 | 110 | 20.3% |
| Washington | 53 | 9.8% |
| Oregon | 47 | 8.7% |
| Texas | 33 | 6.1% |
| Florida | 29 | 5.3% |
| Michigan | 24 | 4.4% |
| Minnesota | 23 | 4.2% |
| New York | 23 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 14 | 2.6% |
| Colorado | 13 | 2.4% |
| Other states and territories | 174 | 32.0% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 62 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Internet accounted for the largest share, with 334 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Internet | 334 | 61.5% |
| Phone | 140 | 25.8% |
| TV | 61 | 11.2% |
| Radio | 6 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.4% |
Internet complaints
334 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 61.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 131 | 39.2% |
| Billing | 101 | 30.2% |
| Availability | 35 | 10.5% |
| Speed | 33 | 9.9% |
| Interference | 19 | 5.7% |
| Privacy | 13 | 3.9% |
| Equipment | 2 | 0.6% |
Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Phone complaints
140 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 51 | 36.4% |
| Billing | 30 | 21.4% |
| Robocalls | 17 | 12.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 4.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 4.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 2.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.4% |
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
61 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 23 | 37.7% |
| Indecency | 14 | 23.0% |
| Availability | 12 | 19.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 13.1% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.6% |
Billing and Indecency 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.