FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 November 2016
Introduction
On Friday, 25 November 2016, 416 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 273 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 47 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
- 416
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (158)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (47)
Where the complaints came from
The 416 complaints recorded on 25 November 2016 originated from 334 cities across 47 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 47 | 11.3% |
| Florida | 41 | 9.9% |
| New York | 28 | 6.7% |
| Texas | 25 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 22 | 5.3% |
| Maryland | 20 | 4.8% |
| Ohio | 19 | 4.6% |
| Illinois | 17 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 13 | 3.1% |
| Virginia | 13 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 171 | 41.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 248 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 248 | 59.6% |
| Internet | 81 | 19.5% |
| TV | 65 | 15.6% |
| Radio | 18 | 4.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
248 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 59.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 158 | 63.7% |
| Billing | 37 | 14.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 9 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 9 | 3.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 3.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.8% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.4% |
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
81 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 22 | 27.2% |
| Availability | 19 | 23.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 12 | 14.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 8.6% |
| Interference | 7 | 8.6% |
| Privacy | 7 | 8.6% |
| Speed | 7 | 8.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
TV complaints
65 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 46.2% |
| Availability | 12 | 18.5% |
| Indecency | 10 | 15.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 13.8% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
Billing and Availability 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.