FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 December 2016
Introduction
On Tuesday, 13 December 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1003 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 747 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 53 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1003
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (437)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (137)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1003 complaints were recorded on 13 December 2016, with reports originating from 700 cities in 53 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 137 | 13.7% |
| Florida | 74 | 7.4% |
| Texas | 71 | 7.1% |
| New York | 67 | 6.7% |
| Maryland | 52 | 5.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 4.1% |
| Virginia | 40 | 4.0% |
| Georgia | 33 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 28 | 2.8% |
| Michigan | 26 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 434 | 43.3% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 694 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 694 | 69.2% |
| Internet | 151 | 15.1% |
| TV | 111 | 11.1% |
| Radio | 44 | 4.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
694 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 437 | 63.0% |
| Billing | 113 | 16.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 45 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 34 | 4.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 2.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
151 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 66 | 43.7% |
| Availability | 29 | 19.2% |
| Interference | 15 | 9.9% |
| Speed | 14 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 12 | 7.9% |
| Privacy | 8 | 5.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 4.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
111 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 63 | 56.8% |
| Availability | 19 | 17.1% |
| Equipment | 12 | 10.8% |
| Indecency | 9 | 8.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 4.5% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 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 4.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 29 | 65.9% |
| Pirate Radio | 6 | 13.6% |
| Indecency | 5 | 11.4% |
| Availability | 2 | 4.5% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.3% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 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.