FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 November 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 965 consumer complaints on Monday, 7 November 2016 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 419 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 965
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (414)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (128)
Where the complaints came from
The 965 complaints recorded on 7 November 2016 originated from 651 cities across 49 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant 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 | 128 | 13.3% |
| Florida | 71 | 7.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 62 | 6.4% |
| Texas | 59 | 6.1% |
| Illinois | 47 | 4.9% |
| New York | 44 | 4.6% |
| Maryland | 42 | 4.4% |
| Colorado | 41 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 39 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.7% |
| Other states and territories | 387 | 40.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 651 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 651 | 67.5% |
| Internet | 162 | 16.8% |
| TV | 115 | 11.9% |
| Radio | 31 | 3.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
651 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 414 | 63.6% |
| Billing | 115 | 17.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 22 | 3.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 13 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 0.8% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
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. 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
162 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 32.7% |
| Availability | 31 | 19.1% |
| Speed | 29 | 17.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 18 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 12 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 10 | 6.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 4.9% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
115 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 38.3% |
| Availability | 21 | 18.3% |
| Indecency | 15 | 13.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 11.3% |
| Equipment | 12 | 10.4% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Indecency among the most common.
Radio complaints
31 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 16 | 51.6% |
| Indecency | 7 | 22.6% |
| Pirate Radio | 5 | 16.1% |
| Availability | 2 | 6.5% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 3.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Indecency, 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.