FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 October 2016
Introduction
On Saturday, 15 October 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 804 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 2400 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 47 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Billing was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 804
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Billing (210)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (108)
Where the complaints came from
On 15 October 2016, the 804 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 529 cities across 47 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | 108 | 13.4% |
| Florida | 70 | 8.7% |
| Texas | 55 | 6.8% |
| Michigan | 49 | 6.1% |
| Illinois | 43 | 5.3% |
| Washington | 42 | 5.2% |
| New York | 39 | 4.9% |
| Colorado | 29 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 27 | 3.4% |
| Indiana | 26 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 316 | 39.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Internet accounted for the largest share, with 459 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Internet | 459 | 57.1% |
| Phone | 258 | 32.1% |
| TV | 78 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 8 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Internet complaints
459 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 57.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 196 | 42.7% |
| Billing | 121 | 26.4% |
| Availability | 79 | 17.2% |
| Speed | 27 | 5.9% |
| Interference | 15 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 13 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 1.7% |
Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Phone complaints
258 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 32.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 101 | 39.1% |
| Billing | 54 | 20.9% |
| Robocalls | 39 | 15.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 7.4% |
| Equipment | 13 | 5.0% |
| Privacy | 11 | 4.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 3.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 2.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.4% |
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
78 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 43.6% |
| Availability | 16 | 20.5% |
| Indecency | 8 | 10.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 10.3% |
| Equipment | 6 | 7.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability 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.