FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 January 2017
Introduction
On Saturday, 7 January 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 478 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 947 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 45 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 478
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (162)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (59)
Where the complaints came from
The 478 complaints recorded on 7 January 2017 were submitted from 364 cities across 45 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 59 | 12.3% |
| Florida | 48 | 10.0% |
| Texas | 37 | 7.7% |
| Illinois | 27 | 5.6% |
| Maryland | 26 | 5.4% |
| New York | 20 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 19 | 4.0% |
| Washington | 19 | 4.0% |
| Colorado | 17 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 16 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 190 | 39.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 255 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 255 | 53.3% |
| TV | 122 | 25.5% |
| Internet | 86 | 18.0% |
| Radio | 12 | 2.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
255 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 53.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 162 | 63.5% |
| Billing | 44 | 17.3% |
| Equipment | 17 | 6.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 9 | 3.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 4 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
122 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 37.7% |
| Availability | 42 | 34.4% |
| Equipment | 10 | 8.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 8.2% |
| Indecency | 9 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 40.7% |
| Availability | 17 | 19.8% |
| Speed | 15 | 17.4% |
| Interference | 6 | 7.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 7.0% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.3% |
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.