FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 November 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 742 consumer complaints on Wednesday, 23 November 2016 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 897 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 344 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 742
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (344)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (91)
Where the complaints came from
The 742 complaints recorded on 23 November 2016 originated from 526 cities across 49 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 91 | 12.3% |
| Florida | 54 | 7.3% |
| Texas | 51 | 6.9% |
| New York | 40 | 5.4% |
| Maryland | 34 | 4.6% |
| Georgia | 33 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 27 | 3.6% |
| Oregon | 27 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 25 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 24 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 335 | 45.1% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 62 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 493 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 493 | 66.4% |
| Internet | 132 | 17.8% |
| TV | 82 | 11.1% |
| Radio | 31 | 4.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
493 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 344 | 69.8% |
| Billing | 67 | 13.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 4.1% |
| Equipment | 17 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 15 | 3.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 2.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
132 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 61 | 46.2% |
| Availability | 23 | 17.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 14 | 10.6% |
| Speed | 14 | 10.6% |
| Privacy | 9 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.1% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.3% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 37 | 45.1% |
| Availability | 15 | 18.3% |
| Indecency | 15 | 18.3% |
| Equipment | 6 | 7.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 6.1% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
31 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 20 | 64.5% |
| Pirate Radio | 5 | 16.1% |
| Indecency | 3 | 9.7% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3.2% |
Interference and Pirate Radio 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.