FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 January 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1214 consumer complaints on 31 January 2017 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1020 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 627 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1214
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (627)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (137)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1214 complaints were recorded on 31 January 2017, with reports originating from 818 cities in 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 137 | 11.3% |
| Florida | 91 | 7.5% |
| Texas | 85 | 7.0% |
| New York | 66 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 4.2% |
| New Jersey | 45 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 42 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 38 | 3.1% |
| Maryland | 38 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 578 | 47.6% |
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 845 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 845 | 69.6% |
| Internet | 195 | 16.1% |
| TV | 125 | 10.3% |
| Radio | 45 | 3.7% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
845 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 627 | 74.2% |
| Billing | 112 | 13.3% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
195 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 74 | 37.9% |
| Speed | 39 | 20.0% |
| Availability | 26 | 13.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 23 | 11.8% |
| Interference | 14 | 7.2% |
| Equipment | 11 | 5.6% |
| Privacy | 8 | 4.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
125 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 74 | 59.2% |
| Availability | 23 | 18.4% |
| Equipment | 13 | 10.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 4.8% |
| Indecency | 5 | 4.0% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
45 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 27 | 60.0% |
| Availability | 6 | 13.3% |
| Indecency | 6 | 13.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 5 | 11.1% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 627 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 51.6% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (305) 985-5505 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (201) 530-4081 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (201) 754-1066 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (206) 525-4212 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (281) 954-9826 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (301) 484-6696 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (412) 226-0147 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (509) 484-0463 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (800) 644-0063 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (858) 900-3090 | 3 | 0.5% |
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.
- (305) 985-5505 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.