FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 October 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1280 consumer complaints on 19 October 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1278 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Billing recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1280
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Billing (356)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (165)
Where the complaints came from
The 1280 complaints recorded on 19 October 2016 originated from 792 cities across 50 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 165 | 12.9% |
| Florida | 128 | 10.0% |
| Texas | 103 | 8.0% |
| New York | 98 | 7.7% |
| Ohio | 63 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 54 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 43 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.0% |
| Georgia | 36 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 505 | 39.5% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 827 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 827 | 64.6% |
| Internet | 282 | 22.0% |
| TV | 143 | 11.2% |
| Radio | 22 | 1.7% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
827 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 331 | 40.0% |
| Billing | 176 | 21.3% |
| Robocalls | 150 | 18.1% |
| Equipment | 43 | 5.2% |
| Privacy | 26 | 3.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 24 | 2.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 18 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 2.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 13 | 1.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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
282 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 97 | 34.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 54 | 19.1% |
| Availability | 49 | 17.4% |
| Speed | 32 | 11.3% |
| Privacy | 25 | 8.9% |
| Interference | 19 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 6 | 2.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability.
TV complaints
143 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 83 | 58.0% |
| Availability | 21 | 14.7% |
| Equipment | 14 | 9.8% |
| Indecency | 10 | 7.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 4.2% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.7% |
Billing and Availability 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.