FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 November 2016
Introduction
A total of 829 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 28 November 2016, complaint volume increased from 333 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 829
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (321)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (90)
Where the complaints came from
The 829 complaints recorded on 28 November 2016 were submitted from 552 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 44 of the 72 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 90 | 10.9% |
| Florida | 75 | 9.0% |
| Maryland | 72 | 8.7% |
| Texas | 68 | 8.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 38 | 4.6% |
| New York | 35 | 4.2% |
| Virginia | 35 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 34 | 4.1% |
| Michigan | 26 | 3.1% |
| Ohio | 24 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 331 | 39.9% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Maryland were heavily concentrated in Frederick, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 504 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 504 | 60.8% |
| Internet | 177 | 21.4% |
| TV | 95 | 11.5% |
| Radio | 50 | 6.0% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
504 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 60.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 321 | 63.7% |
| Billing | 88 | 17.5% |
| Equipment | 27 | 5.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 4.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 12 | 2.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.4% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
177 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 31.6% |
| Availability | 44 | 24.9% |
| Speed | 32 | 18.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 27 | 15.3% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.4% |
| Interference | 5 | 2.8% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
95 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 48.4% |
| Availability | 21 | 22.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 11.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.2% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
50 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 47 | 94.0% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.0% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.0% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 2.0% |
Interference and Billing 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.