FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 November 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 432 consumer complaints on Saturday, 5 November 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1114 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 48 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
- 432
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (135)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (67)
Where the complaints came from
The 432 complaints recorded on 5 November 2016 originated from 331 cities across 48 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 67 | 15.5% |
| Florida | 35 | 8.1% |
| Texas | 31 | 7.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 24 | 5.6% |
| Maryland | 23 | 5.3% |
| New York | 22 | 5.1% |
| Michigan | 21 | 4.9% |
| Washington | 18 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 16 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 12 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 162 | 37.5% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 221 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 221 | 51.2% |
| Internet | 119 | 27.5% |
| TV | 57 | 13.2% |
| Radio | 33 | 7.6% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
221 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 51.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 135 | 61.1% |
| Billing | 39 | 17.6% |
| Equipment | 13 | 5.9% |
| Privacy | 10 | 4.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 3.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.5% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Privacy.
Internet complaints
119 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 27.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 27.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 29 | 24.4% |
| Availability | 20 | 16.8% |
| Speed | 19 | 16.0% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.2% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability.
TV complaints
57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 61.4% |
| Indecency | 10 | 17.5% |
| Availability | 5 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 3.5% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
33 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 26 | 78.8% |
| Pirate Radio | 4 | 12.1% |
| Indecency | 3 | 9.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Pirate Radio, 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.