FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 November 2016
Introduction
A total of 993 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 29 November 2016, this represented an increase from the 829 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 53 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
- 993
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (391)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (126)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 29 November 2016 show 993 complaints originating from 711 cities across 53 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location 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 | 126 | 12.7% |
| Florida | 84 | 8.5% |
| Texas | 69 | 6.9% |
| Maryland | 51 | 5.1% |
| New York | 50 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 5.0% |
| Georgia | 34 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 34 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 34 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 32 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 427 | 43.0% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 631 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 631 | 63.5% |
| Internet | 181 | 18.2% |
| TV | 143 | 14.4% |
| Radio | 35 | 3.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
631 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 63.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 391 | 62.0% |
| Billing | 114 | 18.1% |
| Equipment | 33 | 5.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 16 | 2.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
181 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 65 | 35.9% |
| Availability | 51 | 28.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 27 | 14.9% |
| Speed | 19 | 10.5% |
| Privacy | 11 | 6.1% |
| Equipment | 5 | 2.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 1.7% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
143 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 74 | 51.7% |
| Availability | 23 | 16.1% |
| Equipment | 17 | 11.9% |
| Indecency | 11 | 7.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.7% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
35 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 22 | 62.9% |
| Pirate Radio | 6 | 17.1% |
| Indecency | 4 | 11.4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 5.7% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.9% |
Interference and Pirate Radio were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.