FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 February 2017
Introduction
A total of 975 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 6 February 2017, complaint volume increased from 335 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 468 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 975
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (468)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (103)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 6 February 2017 show 975 complaints originating from 694 cities across 51 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 103 | 10.6% |
| Texas | 71 | 7.3% |
| Florida | 69 | 7.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 52 | 5.3% |
| New York | 47 | 4.8% |
| Georgia | 44 | 4.5% |
| Michigan | 41 | 4.2% |
| Virginia | 41 | 4.2% |
| Maryland | 33 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 33 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 441 | 45.2% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 82 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 653 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 653 | 67.0% |
| Internet | 153 | 15.7% |
| TV | 130 | 13.3% |
| Radio | 36 | 3.7% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
653 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 468 | 71.7% |
| Billing | 85 | 13.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 22 | 3.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 13 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
153 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 46 | 30.1% |
| Billing | 42 | 27.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 19 | 12.4% |
| Speed | 18 | 11.8% |
| Interference | 14 | 9.2% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.6% |
| Privacy | 7 | 4.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
TV complaints
130 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 40.0% |
| Indecency | 35 | 26.9% |
| Availability | 14 | 10.8% |
| Equipment | 11 | 8.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 8.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 2.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.5% |
Billing and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
36 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 15 | 41.7% |
| Interference | 14 | 38.9% |
| Equipment | 4 | 11.1% |
| Availability | 2 | 5.6% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 2.8% |
Indecency and Interference 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.