FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 October 2016
Introduction
A total of 969 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 28 October 2016, this was lower than the 1126 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 458 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 969
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (458)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (118)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 969 complaints were recorded on 28 October 2016, with reports originating from 676 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 118 | 12.2% |
| Texas | 82 | 8.5% |
| Florida | 76 | 7.8% |
| New Jersey | 58 | 6.0% |
| New York | 49 | 5.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 4.7% |
| Illinois | 43 | 4.4% |
| Colorado | 37 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 37 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 35 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 386 | 39.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 654 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 654 | 67.5% |
| Internet | 207 | 21.4% |
| TV | 83 | 8.6% |
| Radio | 22 | 2.3% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
654 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 458 | 70.0% |
| Billing | 92 | 14.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 4.1% |
| Equipment | 24 | 3.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 21 | 3.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
207 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 77 | 37.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 42 | 20.3% |
| Availability | 37 | 17.9% |
| Speed | 21 | 10.1% |
| Equipment | 10 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 10 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 10 | 4.8% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
83 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 66.3% |
| Equipment | 9 | 10.8% |
| Availability | 8 | 9.6% |
| Indecency | 8 | 9.6% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
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.