FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 November 2016
Introduction
On 4 November 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1114 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1049 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1114
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (394)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (114)
Where the complaints came from
Across 765 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 1114 complaints were recorded on 4 November 2016. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 114 | 10.2% |
| Florida | 89 | 8.0% |
| Texas | 83 | 7.5% |
| New York | 51 | 4.6% |
| North Carolina | 48 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 48 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 45 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 45 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 41 | 3.7% |
| Washington | 37 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 512 | 46.0% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 599 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 599 | 53.8% |
| TV | 296 | 26.6% |
| Internet | 174 | 15.6% |
| Radio | 39 | 3.5% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
599 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 53.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 394 | 65.8% |
| Billing | 105 | 17.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 36 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 13 | 2.2% |
| Equipment | 12 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Privacy.
TV complaints
296 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 26.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 154 | 52.0% |
| Billing | 73 | 24.7% |
| Equipment | 24 | 8.1% |
| Interference | 22 | 7.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 2.7% |
| Indecency | 7 | 2.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 0.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
174 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 32.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 40 | 23.0% |
| Availability | 32 | 18.4% |
| Speed | 22 | 12.6% |
| Interference | 11 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 4.6% |
| Privacy | 5 | 2.9% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability.
Radio complaints
39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 16 | 41.0% |
| Interference | 16 | 41.0% |
| Pirate Radio | 4 | 10.3% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 3 | 7.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Indecency and Interference, 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.