FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 December 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 980 consumer complaints on 1 December 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 977 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 980
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (423)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (108)
Where the complaints came from
The 980 complaints recorded on 1 December 2016 originated from 661 cities across 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 108 | 11.0% |
| Florida | 92 | 9.4% |
| Maryland | 61 | 6.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 57 | 5.8% |
| Texas | 53 | 5.4% |
| New York | 51 | 5.2% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 33 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 29 | 3.0% |
| Tennessee | 26 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 430 | 43.9% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 657 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 657 | 67.0% |
| Internet | 160 | 16.3% |
| TV | 114 | 11.6% |
| Radio | 44 | 4.5% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
657 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 423 | 64.4% |
| Billing | 107 | 16.3% |
| Equipment | 29 | 4.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 3.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 19 | 2.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.6% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
160 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 35.6% |
| Availability | 39 | 24.4% |
| Speed | 28 | 17.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 14 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 5.6% |
| Privacy | 8 | 5.0% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 46.5% |
| Availability | 22 | 19.3% |
| Equipment | 12 | 10.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 10.5% |
| Indecency | 8 | 7.0% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
44 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 35 | 79.5% |
| Pirate Radio | 5 | 11.4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.5% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.3% |
| Indecency | 1 | 2.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Pirate Radio, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.