FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 November 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 966 consumer complaints on Tuesday, 15 November 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 864 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 53 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
- 966
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (418)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (116)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 15 November 2016 show 966 complaints originating from 643 cities across 53 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 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 | 116 | 12.0% |
| Texas | 72 | 7.5% |
| Florida | 69 | 7.1% |
| Maryland | 55 | 5.7% |
| New Jersey | 46 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 4.8% |
| Virginia | 42 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 40 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 34 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 31 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 414 | 42.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 649 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 649 | 67.2% |
| Internet | 148 | 15.3% |
| TV | 126 | 13.0% |
| Radio | 39 | 4.0% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
649 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 418 | 64.4% |
| Billing | 112 | 17.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 4.6% |
| Equipment | 26 | 4.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 2.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 17 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 4 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 3 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail 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
148 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 37.8% |
| Availability | 37 | 25.0% |
| Speed | 18 | 12.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 16 | 10.8% |
| Equipment | 10 | 6.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.1% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.4% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
126 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 68 | 54.0% |
| Availability | 26 | 20.6% |
| Equipment | 13 | 10.3% |
| Indecency | 11 | 8.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.2% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 34 | 87.2% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 7.7% |
| Indecency | 2 | 5.1% |
Interference and Pirate Radio accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 418 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 43.3% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (708) 259-1706 | 5 | 1.2% |
| (423) 405-1193 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (844) 308-6815 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (908) 344-5733 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (202) 660-4529 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (209) 564-7678 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (210) 598-8838 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (305) 975-0941 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (352) 267-3733 | 2 | 0.5% |
| (619) 354-4500 | 2 | 0.5% |
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.
- (708) 259-1706 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.