FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 January 2017
Introduction
On Wednesday, 4 January 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1087 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 983 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1087
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (452)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (111)
Where the complaints came from
On 4 January 2017, the 1087 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 706 cities across 52 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 111 | 10.2% |
| Florida | 84 | 7.7% |
| New York | 76 | 7.0% |
| Texas | 72 | 6.6% |
| Maryland | 63 | 5.8% |
| Georgia | 46 | 4.2% |
| New Jersey | 40 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 34 | 3.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 32 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 489 | 45.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 684 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 684 | 62.9% |
| Internet | 192 | 17.7% |
| TV | 172 | 15.8% |
| Radio | 36 | 3.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
684 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 62.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 452 | 66.1% |
| Billing | 106 | 15.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 31 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 25 | 3.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 16 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
192 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 76 | 39.6% |
| Availability | 38 | 19.8% |
| Speed | 32 | 16.7% |
| Privacy | 13 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 12 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 12 | 6.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 9 | 4.7% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
172 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 75 | 43.6% |
| Availability | 66 | 38.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 18 | 10.5% |
| Equipment | 8 | 4.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 1.7% |
| Indecency | 2 | 1.2% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
36 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 31 | 86.1% |
| Indecency | 2 | 5.6% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 5.6% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.8% |
Interference and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 452 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 41.6% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (800) 555-1212 | 6 | 1.3% |
| (234) 307-7528 | 4 | 0.9% |
| (303) 277-4125 | 4 | 0.9% |
| (302) 922-5139 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (385) 218-3054 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (551) 258-8006 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (614) 271-6550 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (662) 703-3480 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (706) 299-9647 | 3 | 0.7% |
| (805) 559-6933 | 3 | 0.7% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (800) 555-1212 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.