FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 January 2017
Introduction
On 30 January 2017, 1020 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 307 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with Texas slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 521 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1020
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (521)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (110)
Where the complaints came from
Across 693 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1020 complaints were recorded on 30 January 2017. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 110 | 10.8% |
| California | 93 | 9.1% |
| Florida | 84 | 8.2% |
| New Jersey | 61 | 6.0% |
| New York | 58 | 5.7% |
| Maryland | 49 | 4.8% |
| Louisiana | 45 | 4.4% |
| Georgia | 39 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 36 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 410 | 40.2% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 711 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 711 | 69.7% |
| Internet | 186 | 18.2% |
| TV | 89 | 8.7% |
| Radio | 29 | 2.8% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
711 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 521 | 73.3% |
| Billing | 81 | 11.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 25 | 3.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
186 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 71 | 38.2% |
| Availability | 40 | 21.5% |
| Speed | 34 | 18.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 12 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 12 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 10 | 5.4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 3.8% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 52.8% |
| Availability | 22 | 24.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.6% |
| Indecency | 1 | 1.1% |
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.