FCC Inquires and Complaints Rise More than 10% in 3Q

The number of telecom-related consumer inquiries and informal complaints received by the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) increased by more than 10% between the second and third quarter of 2011, rising from 13,023 to 14,419, the FCC reported Jan. 31. Complaints related to bundled and VoIP Services totaled 1,661, the first time the FCC reported this data separately. Cable & Satellite Services complaints increased by more than 19%, from 1,389 to 1,663. The number of Radio and Television Broadcasting complaints decreased more than 3% from 2,164 to 2,083. Wireless Telecommunications complaints increased by more than 12%, from 26,149 to 29,390, with complaints regarding Call or Message to Wireless Devices making up the majority. Wireline Telecommunications complaints increased by nearly 9%, from 29,378 to 32,050. Unsolicited Faxes were one of the top complaints.