FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 November 2016
Introduction
On Monday, 14 November 2016, 864 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 288 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 51 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
- 864
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (323)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (91)
Where the complaints came from
The 864 complaints recorded on 14 November 2016 originated from 608 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. 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 | 91 | 10.5% |
| Florida | 72 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 65 | 7.5% |
| Maryland | 55 | 6.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 5.2% |
| New York | 40 | 4.6% |
| Illinois | 37 | 4.3% |
| Ohio | 36 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 33 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 24 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 364 | 42.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 556 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 556 | 64.4% |
| TV | 130 | 15.0% |
| Internet | 129 | 14.9% |
| Radio | 46 | 5.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
556 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 323 | 58.1% |
| Billing | 117 | 21.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 34 | 6.1% |
| Equipment | 19 | 3.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 12 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.7% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.4% |
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.
TV complaints
130 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 66 | 50.8% |
| Indecency | 26 | 20.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 10.0% |
| Availability | 10 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 10 | 7.7% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.5% |
Billing and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
129 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 46.5% |
| Speed | 21 | 16.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 19 | 14.7% |
| Availability | 13 | 10.1% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.2% |
| Interference | 7 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Speed accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
46 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 40 | 87.0% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6.5% |
| Indecency | 3 | 6.5% |
Interference and Equipment accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.