FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 October 2016
Introduction
A total of 429 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Saturday, 29 October 2016, this represented a decline from the 969 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 47 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 429
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (127)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (54)
Where the complaints came from
On 29 October 2016, the 429 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 315 cities across 47 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 28 of the 38 complaints recorded.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 54 | 12.6% |
| Maryland | 38 | 8.9% |
| Texas | 37 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 27 | 6.3% |
| Illinois | 19 | 4.4% |
| Georgia | 18 | 4.2% |
| Arizona | 16 | 3.7% |
| Nebraska | 16 | 3.7% |
| New York | 16 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 3.7% |
| Other states and territories | 172 | 40.1% |
Location highlight
A large share of complaints in Maryland originated from Frederick, which accounted for most reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
A total of 4 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 206 reports. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 135 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 206 | 48.0% |
| Internet | 135 | 31.5% |
| TV | 56 | 13.1% |
| Radio | 32 | 7.5% |
Phone complaints
206 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 48.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 127 | 61.7% |
| Billing | 39 | 18.9% |
| Equipment | 12 | 5.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 4.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 6 | 2.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.5% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) among the most common.
Internet complaints
135 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 31.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 48 | 35.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 40 | 29.6% |
| Availability | 18 | 13.3% |
| Speed | 13 | 9.6% |
| Interference | 8 | 5.9% |
| Privacy | 8 | 5.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Open Internet/Net Neutrality, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
56 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 51.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 14.3% |
| Indecency | 7 | 12.5% |
| Availability | 6 | 10.7% |
| Equipment | 4 | 7.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
32 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 27 | 84.4% |
| Availability | 2 | 6.3% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 3.1% |
| Indecency | 1 | 3.1% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 3.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.