FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 January 2017
Introduction
On 3 January 2017, 983 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 539 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 983
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (368)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (116)
Where the complaints came from
On 3 January 2017, the 983 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 682 cities across 50 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant 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 | 116 | 11.8% |
| Florida | 83 | 8.4% |
| New York | 83 | 8.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 57 | 5.8% |
| Georgia | 54 | 5.5% |
| Texas | 44 | 4.5% |
| Ohio | 38 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 34 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 33 | 3.4% |
| Tennessee | 29 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 411 | 41.8% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 582 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 582 | 59.2% |
| TV | 220 | 22.4% |
| Internet | 149 | 15.2% |
| Radio | 24 | 2.4% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
582 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 59.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 368 | 63.2% |
| Billing | 98 | 16.8% |
| Equipment | 31 | 5.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 18 | 3.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 2.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
220 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 93 | 42.3% |
| Billing | 80 | 36.4% |
| Equipment | 14 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 10 | 4.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 4.5% |
| Indecency | 9 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 4 | 1.8% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
149 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 62 | 41.6% |
| Availability | 32 | 21.5% |
| Speed | 25 | 16.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 7.4% |
| Privacy | 10 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.3% |
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.