FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 December 2016
Introduction
On Monday, 19 December 2016, 767 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 312 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 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
- 767
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (284)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (76)
Where the complaints came from
On 19 December 2016, the 767 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 542 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 40 of the 55 complaints recorded.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 76 | 9.9% |
| Florida | 67 | 8.7% |
| Texas | 65 | 8.5% |
| Maryland | 55 | 7.2% |
| New York | 51 | 6.6% |
| Illinois | 29 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 28 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 28 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 27 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 27 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 313 | 40.8% |
Location highlight
Frederick accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Maryland.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 473 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 473 | 61.7% |
| Internet | 128 | 16.7% |
| TV | 113 | 14.7% |
| Radio | 47 | 6.1% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
473 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 61.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 284 | 60.0% |
| Billing | 90 | 19.0% |
| Equipment | 27 | 5.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 5.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 1.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.2% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
128 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 30.5% |
| Availability | 35 | 27.3% |
| Speed | 18 | 14.1% |
| Interference | 12 | 9.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 12 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 6 | 4.7% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.7% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
113 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 50.4% |
| Availability | 16 | 14.2% |
| Equipment | 13 | 11.5% |
| Indecency | 11 | 9.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 8.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
47 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 41 | 87.2% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 6.4% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 4.3% |
| Indecency | 1 | 2.1% |
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.