FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 January 2017

Introduction

On 24 January 2017, 1232 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 910 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 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
1232
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (544)
Most reported state/territory
California (161)

Where the complaints came from

On 24 January 2017, the 1232 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 800 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Nebraska, where Omaha accounted for 43 of the 61 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 161 13.1%
Florida 93 7.5%
Texas 80 6.5%
New York 63 5.1%
Nebraska 61 5.0%
Illinois 41 3.3%
Georgia 37 3.0%
Maryland 37 3.0%
New Jersey 37 3.0%
Pennsylvania 37 3.0%
Other states and territories 581 47.2%

Location highlight

Omaha accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Nebraska.

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 812 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 812 65.9%
Internet 267 21.7%
TV 117 9.5%
Radio 34 2.8%
Accessibility 1 0.1%
Emergency 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

812 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 65.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 544 67.0%
Billing 125 15.4%
Availability (including rural call completion) 37 4.6%
Equipment 29 3.6%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 23 2.8%
Privacy 14 1.7%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 13 1.6%
Junk Faxes 13 1.6%
Interference (including signal jammers) 10 1.2%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 3 0.4%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 1 0.1%

As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.

Internet complaints

267 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 89 33.3%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 76 28.5%
Availability 42 15.7%
Speed 26 9.7%
Interference 16 6.0%
Equipment 12 4.5%
Privacy 6 2.2%

Billing and Open Internet/Net Neutrality accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

TV complaints

117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 79 67.5%
Availability 24 20.5%
Equipment 8 6.8%
Privacy 4 3.4%
Interference 2 1.7%

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

Radio complaints

34 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Interference 20 58.8%
Indecency 5 14.7%
Pirate Radio 5 14.7%
Billing 2 5.9%
Commercials/Promotions 2 5.9%

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

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 24 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.