FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 November 2016
Introduction
A total of 1085 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 2 November 2016, this was lower than the 1129 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1085
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (439)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (152)
Where the complaints came from
On 2 November 2016, the 1085 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 710 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 152 | 14.0% |
| Texas | 81 | 7.5% |
| Florida | 77 | 7.1% |
| New York | 58 | 5.3% |
| Maryland | 54 | 5.0% |
| Colorado | 45 | 4.1% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 37 | 3.4% |
| Washington | 37 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 470 | 43.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 669 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 669 | 61.7% |
| Internet | 259 | 23.9% |
| TV | 121 | 11.2% |
| Radio | 33 | 3.0% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
669 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 61.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 439 | 65.6% |
| Billing | 100 | 14.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 31 | 4.6% |
| Equipment | 25 | 3.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 22 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 4 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
259 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 80 | 30.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 74 | 28.6% |
| Availability | 43 | 16.6% |
| Speed | 31 | 12.0% |
| Equipment | 13 | 5.0% |
| Privacy | 10 | 3.9% |
| Interference | 8 | 3.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
121 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 74 | 61.2% |
| Availability | 17 | 14.0% |
| Equipment | 16 | 13.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 5.8% |
| Indecency | 5 | 4.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
33 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 23 | 69.7% |
| Indecency | 4 | 12.1% |
| Availability | 2 | 6.1% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 6.1% |
| Billing | 1 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3.0% |
Interference and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
439 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 40.5% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (319) 936-5540 | 6 | 1.4% |
| (317) 664-5931 | 4 | 0.9% |
| (202) 851-0561 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (225) 663-8285 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (855) 653-4481 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (866) 402-9792 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (914) 567-2978 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (914) 725-2391 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (205) 267-7159 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (216) 276-4326 | 2 | 0.5% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (319) 936-5540 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.