FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 November 2016
Introduction
A total of 419 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 6 November 2016, this represented a decline from the 432 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 40 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 419
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (130)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (58)
Where the complaints came from
The 419 complaints recorded on 6 November 2016 originated from 291 cities across 40 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 58 | 13.8% |
| Florida | 38 | 9.1% |
| Washington | 34 | 8.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 27 | 6.4% |
| Texas | 24 | 5.7% |
| Colorado | 18 | 4.3% |
| Ohio | 16 | 3.8% |
| Arizona | 15 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 15 | 3.6% |
| New York | 15 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 159 | 37.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 198 reports. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 146 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 198 | 47.3% |
| Internet | 146 | 34.8% |
| TV | 53 | 12.6% |
| Radio | 18 | 4.3% |
| Emergency | 4 | 1.0% |
Phone complaints
198 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 47.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 130 | 65.7% |
| Billing | 32 | 16.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 4.0% |
| Equipment | 8 | 4.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 3.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 2.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.0% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.5% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
146 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 34.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 58 | 39.7% |
| Billing | 40 | 27.4% |
| Availability | 20 | 13.7% |
| Speed | 15 | 10.3% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 4 | 2.7% |
| Interference | 4 | 2.7% |
Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
53 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 16 | 30.2% |
| Indecency | 11 | 20.8% |
| Availability | 9 | 17.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 17.0% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.7% |
| Privacy | 3 | 5.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Indecency and Availability.
Unwanted calls
130 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 31% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (201) 382-7291 | 6 | 4.6% |
| (202) 864-1648 | 4 | 3.1% |
| (760) 896-0324 | 3 | 2.3% |
| (888) 299-2416 | 3 | 2.3% |
| (888) 632-6548 | 3 | 2.3% |
| (323) 593-7039 | 2 | 1.5% |
| (757) 740-0578 | 2 | 1.5% |
| (201) 215-5607 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (202) 335-1218 | 1 | 0.8% |
| (205) 217-7159 | 1 | 0.8% |
Key patterns
- Text Message was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (201) 382-7291 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.