FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 December 2016
Introduction
On Sunday, 4 December 2016, 278 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 448 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 40 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Billing recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 278
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Billing (80)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (37)
Where the complaints came from
The 278 complaints recorded on 4 December 2016 were submitted from 230 cities across 40 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 37 | 13.3% |
| Florida | 24 | 8.6% |
| Maryland | 22 | 7.9% |
| New York | 18 | 6.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 5.8% |
| Texas | 16 | 5.8% |
| Georgia | 12 | 4.3% |
| Virginia | 12 | 4.3% |
| Delaware | 9 | 3.2% |
| Washington | 9 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 103 | 37.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 111 reports. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 84 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 111 | 39.9% |
| Internet | 84 | 30.2% |
| TV | 59 | 21.2% |
| Radio | 19 | 6.8% |
| Emergency | 4 | 1.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
111 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 39.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 43 | 38.7% |
| Billing | 31 | 27.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 10 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.2% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 3.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 3.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 2.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
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
84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 30.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 31.0% |
| Speed | 13 | 15.5% |
| Availability | 12 | 14.3% |
| Interference | 11 | 13.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 10 | 11.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 7.1% |
| Privacy | 6 | 7.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
59 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 23 | 39.0% |
| Availability | 11 | 18.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 18.6% |
| Equipment | 9 | 15.3% |
| Indecency | 2 | 3.4% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.7% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials.
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.