FCC Consumer Complaints – 8 December 2016
Introduction
On 8 December 2016, 868 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 955 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 403 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 868
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (403)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (115)
Where the complaints came from
The 868 complaints recorded on 8 December 2016 were submitted from 599 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 115 | 13.2% |
| Florida | 59 | 6.8% |
| New York | 56 | 6.5% |
| Maryland | 55 | 6.3% |
| Texas | 50 | 5.8% |
| Virginia | 36 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 33 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 32 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 32 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 30 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 369 | 42.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 84 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 597 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 597 | 68.8% |
| Internet | 117 | 13.5% |
| TV | 110 | 12.7% |
| Radio | 39 | 4.5% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
597 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 403 | 67.5% |
| Billing | 84 | 14.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 3.9% |
| Equipment | 23 | 3.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 3.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
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
117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 32.5% |
| Availability | 30 | 25.6% |
| Speed | 20 | 17.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 9.4% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.9% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 47.3% |
| Availability | 18 | 16.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 10.0% |
| Indecency | 9 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 8 | 7.3% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.4% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 34 | 87.2% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 5.1% |
| Availability | 1 | 2.6% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.6% |
| Indecency | 1 | 2.6% |
Interference and Pirate Radio 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.