FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 February 2017
Introduction
A total of 1073 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 1 February 2017, this represented a decline from the 1214 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 607 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1073
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (607)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (112)
Where the complaints came from
On 1 February 2017, the 1073 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 713 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 112 | 10.4% |
| Florida | 90 | 8.4% |
| New York | 69 | 6.4% |
| Texas | 62 | 5.8% |
| Indiana | 51 | 4.8% |
| Maryland | 46 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 43 | 4.0% |
| Michigan | 41 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 39 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 38 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 478 | 44.5% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 82 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 828 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 828 | 77.2% |
| Internet | 120 | 11.2% |
| TV | 96 | 8.9% |
| Radio | 23 | 2.1% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
828 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 607 | 73.3% |
| Billing | 105 | 12.7% |
| Equipment | 26 | 3.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 23 | 2.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 2.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.4% |
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, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
120 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 37.5% |
| Availability | 19 | 15.8% |
| Speed | 19 | 15.8% |
| Interference | 11 | 9.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 10 | 8.3% |
| Privacy | 10 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.0% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
96 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 59 | 61.5% |
| Availability | 11 | 11.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.3% |
| Indecency | 6 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.