FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 October 2016
Introduction
On 22 October 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 455 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 894 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 46 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints relating to Billing were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 455
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Billing (118)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (68)
Where the complaints came from
On 22 October 2016, the 455 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 352 cities across 46 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 68 | 14.9% |
| Florida | 38 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 36 | 7.9% |
| New York | 30 | 6.6% |
| Washington | 25 | 5.5% |
| Illinois | 21 | 4.6% |
| Georgia | 19 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 16 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 16 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 14 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 172 | 37.8% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 238 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 238 | 52.3% |
| Internet | 121 | 26.6% |
| TV | 89 | 19.6% |
| Radio | 6 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
238 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 52.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing) | 91 | 38.2% |
| Billing | 47 | 19.7% |
| Robocalls | 33 | 13.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 17 | 7.1% |
| Privacy | 12 | 5.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 2.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.4% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Telemarketing (including do not call and spoofing), Billing and Robocalls.
Internet complaints
121 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 26.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 31.4% |
| Availability | 21 | 17.4% |
| Speed | 21 | 17.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 16 | 13.2% |
| Interference | 11 | 9.1% |
| Privacy | 10 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 37.1% |
| Equipment | 14 | 15.7% |
| Availability | 13 | 14.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 12.4% |
| Interference | 10 | 11.2% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.2% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability.
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.