FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 October 2016
Introduction
On 13 October 2016, 1539 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 3502 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 53 states and territories, with California recording the largest share of reports at 219 complaints. Complaints relating to Billing were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1539
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Billing (409)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (219)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 13 October 2016 show 1539 complaints originating from 933 cities across 53 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 219 | 14.2% |
| Florida | 107 | 7.0% |
| Texas | 99 | 6.4% |
| Washington | 79 | 5.1% |
| New York | 75 | 4.9% |
| Colorado | 67 | 4.4% |
| Oregon | 65 | 4.2% |
| Michigan | 59 | 3.8% |
| Maryland | 58 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 58 | 3.8% |
| Other states and territories | 649 | 42.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 712 complaints. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 605 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 712 | 46.3% |
| Internet | 605 | 39.3% |
| TV | 174 | 11.3% |
| Radio | 43 | 2.8% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
712 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 46.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 297 | 41.7% |
| Billing | 142 | 19.9% |
| Robocalls | 135 | 19.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 4.2% |
| Equipment | 29 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 29 | 4.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 1.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.4% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
605 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 39.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 293 | 48.4% |
| Billing | 155 | 25.6% |
| Availability | 71 | 11.7% |
| Speed | 42 | 6.9% |
| Interference | 18 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 17 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 1.5% |
Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
174 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 111 | 63.8% |
| Availability | 19 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 17 | 9.8% |
| Interference | 11 | 6.3% |
| Indecency | 9 | 5.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 27 | 62.8% |
| Indecency | 8 | 18.6% |
| Equipment | 3 | 7.0% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 4.7% |
| Availability | 1 | 2.3% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.3% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.3% |
Interference and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.