FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 October 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 2400 consumer complaints on 14 October 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1539 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Billing recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 2400
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Billing (714)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (332)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 14 October 2016 show 2400 complaints originating from 1269 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 332 | 13.8% |
| Texas | 168 | 7.0% |
| Florida | 160 | 6.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 126 | 5.3% |
| Washington | 111 | 4.6% |
| Illinois | 108 | 4.5% |
| Colorado | 92 | 3.8% |
| New York | 91 | 3.8% |
| Maryland | 84 | 3.5% |
| Massachusetts | 82 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 1042 | 43.4% |
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 1431 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Internet | 1431 | 59.6% |
| Phone | 789 | 32.9% |
| TV | 155 | 6.5% |
| Radio | 22 | 0.9% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.0% |
Internet complaints
1431 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 59.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 683 | 47.7% |
| Billing | 415 | 29.0% |
| Availability | 198 | 13.8% |
| Speed | 64 | 4.5% |
| Interference | 49 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 16 | 1.1% |
| Equipment | 6 | 0.4% |
Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Phone complaints
789 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 32.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 269 | 34.1% |
| Billing | 210 | 26.6% |
| Robocalls | 123 | 15.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 46 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 40 | 5.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 35 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 27 | 3.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
155 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 89 | 57.4% |
| Equipment | 18 | 11.6% |
| Availability | 14 | 9.0% |
| Indecency | 13 | 8.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 7 | 4.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.6% |
Billing and Equipment 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.