FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 January 2017
Introduction
On 29 January 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 307 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 463 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 43 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Billing was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 307
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Billing (79)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (38)
Where the complaints came from
Across 239 cities in 43 states and territories, a total of 307 complaints were recorded on 29 January 2017. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 38 | 12.4% |
| Florida | 28 | 9.1% |
| Texas | 23 | 7.5% |
| Maryland | 19 | 6.2% |
| New York | 16 | 5.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 5.2% |
| Kentucky | 13 | 4.2% |
| Arizona | 12 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 12 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 10 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 120 | 39.1% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 146 reports. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 96 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 146 | 47.6% |
| Internet | 96 | 31.3% |
| TV | 43 | 14.0% |
| Radio | 18 | 5.9% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
146 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 47.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 71 | 48.6% |
| Billing | 26 | 17.8% |
| Equipment | 17 | 11.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 8.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 2.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 2.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.7% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
96 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 31.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 35.4% |
| Availability | 18 | 18.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 17 | 17.7% |
| Speed | 13 | 13.5% |
| Interference | 7 | 7.3% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.1% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
TV complaints
43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 18 | 41.9% |
| Availability | 13 | 30.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 14.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 9.3% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, 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.