FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 December 2016
Introduction
On 29 December 2016, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 914 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 952 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 49 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
- 914
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (329)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (98)
Where the complaints came from
The 914 complaints recorded on 29 December 2016 originated from 634 cities across 49 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 | 98 | 10.7% |
| Texas | 74 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 63 | 6.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 52 | 5.7% |
| Illinois | 50 | 5.5% |
| New York | 50 | 5.5% |
| Maryland | 38 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 31 | 3.4% |
| Washington | 31 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 30 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 396 | 43.3% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 539 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 539 | 59.0% |
| Internet | 203 | 22.2% |
| TV | 144 | 15.8% |
| Radio | 26 | 2.8% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
539 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 59.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 329 | 61.0% |
| Billing | 105 | 19.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 26 | 4.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 3.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 6 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
203 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 77 | 37.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 36 | 17.7% |
| Availability | 33 | 16.3% |
| Speed | 33 | 16.3% |
| Equipment | 11 | 5.4% |
| Interference | 7 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.0% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability.
TV complaints
144 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 76 | 52.8% |
| Availability | 20 | 13.9% |
| Equipment | 17 | 11.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 9.0% |
| Interference | 10 | 6.9% |
| Indecency | 5 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.7% |
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.