FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 January 2017
Introduction
On 1 January 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 253 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 358 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 39 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Billing recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 253
- States & territories reporting
- 39
- Most common issue
- Billing (68)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (32)
Where the complaints came from
On 1 January 2017, the 253 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 200 cities across 39 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 32 | 12.6% |
| Florida | 26 | 10.3% |
| Maryland | 25 | 9.9% |
| Washington | 22 | 8.7% |
| Georgia | 14 | 5.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 14 | 5.5% |
| Texas | 13 | 5.1% |
| Massachusetts | 10 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 9 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 9 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 79 | 31.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. TV accounted for the largest share, with 91 complaints. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 68 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TV | 91 | 36.0% |
| Internet | 68 | 26.9% |
| Phone | 65 | 25.7% |
| Radio | 26 | 10.3% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 1.2% |
TV complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 36.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 54 | 59.3% |
| Billing | 14 | 15.4% |
| Indecency | 6 | 6.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 6.6% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.5% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.1% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
68 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 26.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 36.8% |
| Speed | 13 | 19.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 10 | 14.7% |
| Availability | 8 | 11.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 5 | 7.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Open Internet/Net Neutrality among the most common.
Phone complaints
65 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 44.6% |
| Unwanted Calls | 16 | 24.6% |
| Privacy | 9 | 13.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 6.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 3 | 4.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 3.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 3.1% |
Billing and Unwanted Calls accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
26 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 24 | 92.3% |
| Indecency | 2 | 7.7% |
Interference and Indecency 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.