FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 December 2016
Introduction
A total of 324 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 26 December 2016, this represented an increase from the 141 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 42 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 53 complaints. Complaints relating to Billing were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 324
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Billing (93)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (53)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 324 complaints were recorded on 26 December 2016, with reports originating from 253 cities in 42 states and territories. 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 53 | 16.4% |
| Texas | 23 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 18 | 5.6% |
| Maryland | 17 | 5.2% |
| New Jersey | 15 | 4.6% |
| Michigan | 14 | 4.3% |
| Ohio | 14 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 13 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 13 | 4.0% |
| Colorado | 12 | 3.7% |
| Other states and territories | 132 | 40.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 165 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 165 | 50.9% |
| Internet | 82 | 25.3% |
| TV | 65 | 20.1% |
| Radio | 11 | 3.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
165 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 50.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 84 | 50.9% |
| Billing | 34 | 20.6% |
| Equipment | 16 | 9.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 4.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 4.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 3.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.4% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill).
Internet complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 32.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 19 | 23.2% |
| Speed | 17 | 20.7% |
| Availability | 11 | 13.4% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.4% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Speed.
TV complaints
65 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 47.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 23.1% |
| Availability | 9 | 13.8% |
| Indecency | 4 | 6.2% |
| Interference | 4 | 6.2% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
Billing and Loud Commercials 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.