FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 December 2016
Introduction
A total of 654 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 27 December 2016, complaint volume increased from 324 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 46 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 654
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (232)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (73)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 27 December 2016 show 654 complaints originating from 507 cities across 46 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 73 | 11.2% |
| Texas | 64 | 9.8% |
| Florida | 55 | 8.4% |
| Maryland | 37 | 5.7% |
| New York | 34 | 5.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 29 | 4.4% |
| Georgia | 27 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 26 | 4.0% |
| North Carolina | 24 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 22 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 261 | 39.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 376 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 376 | 57.5% |
| Internet | 141 | 21.6% |
| TV | 114 | 17.4% |
| Radio | 18 | 2.8% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
376 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 57.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 232 | 61.7% |
| Billing | 72 | 19.1% |
| Equipment | 25 | 6.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 15 | 4.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 2.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 1.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.8% |
| 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. 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
141 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 32.6% |
| Availability | 35 | 24.8% |
| Speed | 28 | 19.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 14 | 9.9% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.0% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.3% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.5% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 48.2% |
| Availability | 26 | 22.8% |
| Equipment | 15 | 13.2% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 5.3% |
| Indecency | 4 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
Billing and Availability 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.