FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 December 2016
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 564 consumer complaints on 23 December 2016 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 770 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 48 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
- 564
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (198)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (71)
Where the complaints came from
The 564 complaints recorded on 23 December 2016 originated from 422 cities across 48 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 71 | 12.6% |
| Florida | 44 | 7.8% |
| Texas | 31 | 5.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 29 | 5.1% |
| New York | 25 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 23 | 4.1% |
| Georgia | 21 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 20 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 20 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 19 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 261 | 46.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 334 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 334 | 59.2% |
| Internet | 129 | 22.9% |
| TV | 82 | 14.5% |
| Radio | 15 | 2.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
334 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 59.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 198 | 59.3% |
| Billing | 57 | 17.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 5.4% |
| Equipment | 17 | 5.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 11 | 3.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 3.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 1.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.3% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
129 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 39.5% |
| Availability | 25 | 19.4% |
| Speed | 20 | 15.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 8.5% |
| Privacy | 11 | 8.5% |
| Interference | 8 | 6.2% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 47.6% |
| Availability | 17 | 20.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 13.4% |
| Equipment | 10 | 12.2% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.4% |
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.