FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 February 2017
Introduction
A total of 440 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 4 February 2017, complaint volume fell from 1103 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 45 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 440
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (180)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (60)
Where the complaints came from
The 440 complaints recorded on 4 February 2017 were submitted from 327 cities across 45 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 | 60 | 13.6% |
| Florida | 32 | 7.3% |
| New York | 28 | 6.4% |
| New Jersey | 26 | 5.9% |
| Texas | 25 | 5.7% |
| Virginia | 19 | 4.3% |
| Maryland | 16 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 3.6% |
| Iowa | 14 | 3.2% |
| Washington | 14 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 190 | 43.2% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 247 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 247 | 56.1% |
| Internet | 110 | 25.0% |
| TV | 71 | 16.1% |
| Radio | 7 | 1.6% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
247 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 56.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 180 | 72.9% |
| Billing | 34 | 13.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 7 | 2.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 6 | 2.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 1 | 0.4% |
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 Privacy.
Internet complaints
110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 29.1% |
| Availability | 25 | 22.7% |
| Speed | 17 | 15.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 14 | 12.7% |
| Privacy | 9 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.5% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
71 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 45.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 21.1% |
| Availability | 10 | 14.1% |
| Equipment | 6 | 8.5% |
| Indecency | 6 | 8.5% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
Billing and Loud Commercials 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.