FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 October 2016
Introduction
On Monday, 10 October 2016, 983 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 543 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Billing was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 983
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Billing (218)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (150)
Where the complaints came from
The 983 complaints recorded on 10 October 2016 originated from 612 cities across 49 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 150 | 15.3% |
| Texas | 93 | 9.5% |
| Florida | 68 | 6.9% |
| Washington | 57 | 5.8% |
| Colorado | 47 | 4.8% |
| Michigan | 43 | 4.4% |
| Oregon | 41 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 38 | 3.9% |
| Maryland | 34 | 3.5% |
| New York | 31 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 381 | 38.8% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 495 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 495 | 50.4% |
| Internet | 355 | 36.1% |
| TV | 112 | 11.4% |
| Radio | 20 | 2.0% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
495 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 50.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 198 | 40.0% |
| Robocalls | 108 | 21.8% |
| Billing | 70 | 14.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 6.1% |
| Privacy | 22 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 20 | 4.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 3.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 1.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Robocalls, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
355 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 36.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 133 | 37.5% |
| Billing | 98 | 27.6% |
| Availability | 57 | 16.1% |
| Privacy | 28 | 7.9% |
| Speed | 19 | 5.4% |
| Interference | 15 | 4.2% |
| Equipment | 5 | 1.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 43.8% |
| Indecency | 18 | 16.1% |
| Availability | 15 | 13.4% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.0% |
| Interference | 8 | 7.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 7.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
Billing represented the largest share of complaints recorded in this category, with lower volumes reported across the remaining issues.
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.