FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 December 2016
Introduction
A total of 770 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 22 December 2016, complaint volume fell from 868 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 369 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 770
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (369)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (85)
Where the complaints came from
Across 566 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 770 complaints were recorded on 22 December 2016. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant 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 shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 85 | 11.0% |
| Florida | 75 | 9.7% |
| Texas | 71 | 9.2% |
| Illinois | 40 | 5.2% |
| New York | 38 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 31 | 4.0% |
| Maryland | 28 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 28 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 23 | 3.0% |
| Ohio | 22 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 329 | 42.7% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 531 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 531 | 69.0% |
| Internet | 132 | 17.1% |
| TV | 76 | 9.9% |
| Radio | 27 | 3.5% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
531 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 369 | 69.5% |
| Billing | 65 | 12.2% |
| Equipment | 26 | 4.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 4.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 11 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
132 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 31.1% |
| Availability | 32 | 24.2% |
| Speed | 21 | 15.9% |
| Equipment | 11 | 8.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 10 | 7.6% |
| Privacy | 9 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 8 | 6.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 48 | 63.2% |
| Availability | 8 | 10.5% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.6% |
| Indecency | 5 | 6.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 6.6% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, 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.