FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 December 2016
Introduction
On 11 December 2016, 276 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 371 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 45 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints relating to Billing were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 276
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Billing (74)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (42)
Where the complaints came from
The 276 complaints recorded on 11 December 2016 originated from 222 cities across 45 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 42 | 15.2% |
| Maryland | 25 | 9.1% |
| Florida | 20 | 7.2% |
| Texas | 16 | 5.8% |
| Georgia | 12 | 4.3% |
| New York | 12 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 11 | 4.0% |
| Michigan | 11 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 11 | 4.0% |
| Colorado | 9 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 107 | 38.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 138 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 138 | 50.0% |
| Internet | 69 | 25.0% |
| TV | 38 | 13.8% |
| Radio | 30 | 10.9% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
138 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 50.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 66 | 47.8% |
| Billing | 33 | 23.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 3.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.7% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
69 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 37.7% |
| Availability | 14 | 20.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 15.9% |
| Speed | 9 | 13.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.9% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality among the most common.
TV complaints
38 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 15 | 39.5% |
| Availability | 7 | 18.4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 18.4% |
| Indecency | 4 | 10.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 7.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 5.3% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Equipment among the most common.
Radio complaints
30 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 24 | 80.0% |
| Indecency | 5 | 16.7% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 3.3% |
Interference and Indecency 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.