FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 January 2017

Introduction

A total of 1002 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 10 January 2017, this was higher than the 859 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 53 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1002
States & territories reporting
53
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (456)
Most reported state/territory
California (108)

Where the complaints came from

Reports recorded on 10 January 2017 show 1002 complaints originating from 677 cities across 53 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.

The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.

State/Territory Complaints
California 108 10.8%
Texas 84 8.4%
Florida 71 7.1%
New York 62 6.2%
Pennsylvania 43 4.3%
Illinois 41 4.1%
Georgia 36 3.6%
Maryland 36 3.6%
Ohio 36 3.6%
New Jersey 30 3.0%
Other states and territories 449 44.8%

What the complaints were about

A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 700 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 700 69.9%
Internet 177 17.7%
TV 98 9.8%
Radio 22 2.2%
Emergency 3 0.3%
Accessibility 2 0.2%

Phone complaints

700 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 456 65.1%
Billing 130 18.6%
Availability (including rural call completion) 32 4.6%
Equipment 24 3.4%
Junk Faxes 15 2.1%
Privacy 13 1.9%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 12 1.7%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 10 1.4%
Interference (including signal jammers) 5 0.7%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 2 0.3%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 0.1%

Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section 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

177 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 58 32.8%
Speed 42 23.7%
Availability 33 18.6%
Privacy 14 7.9%
Equipment 11 6.2%
Interference 11 6.2%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 8 4.5%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.

TV complaints

98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 55 56.1%
Availability 20 20.4%
Equipment 10 10.2%
Loud Commercials 5 5.1%
Interference 3 3.1%
Privacy 2 2.0%
Indecency 1 1.0%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.0%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Unwanted calls

There were 456 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 45.5% 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
(972) 394-9760 5 1.1%
(229) 254-2422 3 0.7%
(281) 372-0808 3 0.7%
(916) 723-7670 3 0.7%
(941) 776-5974 3 0.7%
(213) 509-8081 2 0.4%
(217) 841-9312 2 0.4%
(239) 580-6025 2 0.4%
(305) 842-2954 2 0.4%
(312) 646-6357 2 0.4%

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.
  • (972) 394-9760 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 10 January 2017.

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.