FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 November 2016
Introduction
On 9 November 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 764 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 938 complaints recorded 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
- 764
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (327)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (96)
Where the complaints came from
On 9 November 2016, the 764 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 534 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 30 of the 46 complaints recorded in the state.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 96 | 12.6% |
| Florida | 67 | 8.8% |
| Texas | 50 | 6.5% |
| New York | 47 | 6.2% |
| Maryland | 46 | 6.0% |
| Georgia | 38 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | 4.6% |
| Ohio | 30 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 28 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 27 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 296 | 38.7% |
Location highlights
- A large share of complaints in Maryland originated from Frederick, which accounted for most reports within the state.
- Complaints in California were reported across 69 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 514 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 514 | 67.3% |
| Internet | 121 | 15.8% |
| TV | 87 | 11.4% |
| Radio | 41 | 5.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
514 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 327 | 63.6% |
| Billing | 72 | 14.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 37 | 7.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 4.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 3.5% |
| Equipment | 15 | 2.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 1.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
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, Junk Faxes and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
121 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 36.4% |
| Speed | 20 | 16.5% |
| Availability | 17 | 14.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 15 | 12.4% |
| Privacy | 10 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 9 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.0% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
87 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 54.0% |
| Availability | 13 | 14.9% |
| Equipment | 11 | 12.6% |
| Interference | 7 | 8.0% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 4.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
41 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 32 | 78.0% |
| Indecency | 6 | 14.6% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 4.9% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.4% |
Interference and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 327 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 42.8% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (716) 902-7013 | 5 | 1.5% |
| (239) 633-1038 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (254) 535-3258 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (256) 525-6538 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (270) 222-9699 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (318) 792-1454 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (205) 918-7712 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (209) 898-0534 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (217) 520-7859 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (228) 249-7247 | 2 | 0.6% |
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.
- (716) 902-7013 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.