FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 December 2016
Introduction
A total of 422 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Saturday, 17 December 2016, this was lower than the 871 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 45 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 422
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (143)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (58)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 422 complaints were recorded on 17 December 2016, with reports originating from 330 cities in 45 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 58 | 13.7% |
| Texas | 36 | 8.5% |
| Florida | 31 | 7.3% |
| New York | 25 | 5.9% |
| Maryland | 22 | 5.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 5.0% |
| Michigan | 17 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 15 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 14 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 14 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 168 | 39.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 270 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 270 | 64.0% |
| Internet | 77 | 18.2% |
| TV | 50 | 11.8% |
| Radio | 24 | 5.7% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
270 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 143 | 53.0% |
| Billing | 59 | 21.9% |
| Equipment | 19 | 7.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 4.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 11 | 4.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 3.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 5 | 1.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 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, Equipment and Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) among the most common.
Internet complaints
77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 40.3% |
| Speed | 14 | 18.2% |
| Availability | 10 | 13.0% |
| Equipment | 9 | 11.7% |
| Interference | 5 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 5 | 6.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 3.9% |
Billing represented the largest share of complaints recorded in this category, with lower volumes reported across the remaining issues.
TV complaints
50 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 52.0% |
| Availability | 14 | 28.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6.0% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.0% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.