FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 January 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 888 consumer complaints on 13 January 2017 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 991 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 48 states and territories, with California accounting for the largest number of submissions at 128 complaints. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 421 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 888
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (421)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (128)
Where the complaints came from
The 888 complaints recorded on 13 January 2017 originated from 633 cities across 48 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 31 of the 51 complaints recorded in the state.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 128 | 14.4% |
| Florida | 64 | 7.2% |
| Texas | 54 | 6.1% |
| Maryland | 51 | 5.7% |
| New York | 46 | 5.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 39 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 38 | 4.3% |
| Washington | 34 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 29 | 3.3% |
| Oregon | 28 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 377 | 42.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Maryland were heavily concentrated in Frederick, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
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 630 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 630 | 70.9% |
| Internet | 131 | 14.8% |
| TV | 74 | 8.3% |
| Radio | 47 | 5.3% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
630 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 421 | 66.8% |
| Billing | 102 | 16.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 4.6% |
| Equipment | 20 | 3.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.6% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
131 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 31.3% |
| Availability | 26 | 19.8% |
| Speed | 24 | 18.3% |
| Interference | 16 | 12.2% |
| Equipment | 10 | 7.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 9 | 6.9% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
74 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 36 | 48.6% |
| Billing | 33 | 44.6% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
47 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 35 | 74.5% |
| Pirate Radio | 6 | 12.8% |
| Indecency | 3 | 6.4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.3% |
| Availability | 1 | 2.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Pirate Radio, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.