FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 November 2016
Introduction
On Thursday, 10 November 2016, 807 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 764 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 376 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 807
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (376)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (100)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 10 November 2016 show 807 complaints originating from 567 cities across 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 100 | 12.4% |
| Florida | 70 | 8.7% |
| Texas | 54 | 6.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 6.2% |
| New York | 46 | 5.7% |
| Maryland | 29 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 27 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 26 | 3.2% |
| Michigan | 25 | 3.1% |
| Ohio | 24 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 355 | 44.0% |
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 553 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 553 | 68.5% |
| Internet | 111 | 13.8% |
| TV | 108 | 13.4% |
| Radio | 30 | 3.7% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
553 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 376 | 68.0% |
| Billing | 85 | 15.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 18 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 11 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.7% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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 Equipment.
Internet complaints
111 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 48 | 43.2% |
| Availability | 19 | 17.1% |
| Speed | 15 | 13.5% |
| Interference | 9 | 8.1% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 7 | 6.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 5.4% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
108 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 40.7% |
| Indecency | 28 | 25.9% |
| Availability | 14 | 13.0% |
| Equipment | 11 | 10.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
30 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 17 | 56.7% |
| Pirate Radio | 6 | 20.0% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 3 | 10.0% |
| Availability | 2 | 6.7% |
| Billing | 1 | 3.3% |
| Indecency | 1 | 3.3% |
Interference and Pirate Radio were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.