FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 November 2016
Introduction
On 12 November 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 364 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 659 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 46 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 364
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (119)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (60)
Where the complaints came from
On 12 November 2016, the 364 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 295 cities across 46 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 60 | 16.5% |
| Florida | 36 | 9.9% |
| Texas | 25 | 6.9% |
| Illinois | 21 | 5.8% |
| Maryland | 18 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 17 | 4.7% |
| Georgia | 13 | 3.6% |
| New York | 13 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 11 | 3.0% |
| Massachusetts | 9 | 2.5% |
| Other states and territories | 141 | 38.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 200 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 200 | 54.9% |
| Internet | 83 | 22.8% |
| TV | 64 | 17.6% |
| Radio | 14 | 3.8% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.8% |
Phone complaints
200 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 54.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 119 | 59.5% |
| Billing | 37 | 18.5% |
| Equipment | 14 | 7.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 6.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 5 | 2.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 1 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
83 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 28.9% |
| Availability | 18 | 21.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 16 | 19.3% |
| Speed | 13 | 15.7% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.6% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
TV complaints
64 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 23 | 35.9% |
| Availability | 15 | 23.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 12.5% |
| Equipment | 7 | 10.9% |
| Indecency | 5 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials.
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.