FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 February 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1140 consumer complaints on 9 February 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1124 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 48 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 593 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1140
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (593)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (137)
Where the complaints came from
The 1140 complaints recorded on 9 February 2017 originated from 758 cities across 48 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory 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 table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 137 | 12.0% |
| Texas | 83 | 7.3% |
| New York | 73 | 6.4% |
| Massachusetts | 66 | 5.8% |
| Florida | 65 | 5.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 55 | 4.8% |
| Georgia | 42 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 40 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 38 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 36 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 504 | 44.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 775 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 775 | 68.0% |
| Internet | 157 | 13.8% |
| TV | 110 | 9.6% |
| Radio | 91 | 8.0% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
775 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 593 | 76.5% |
| Billing | 92 | 11.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 2.3% |
| Equipment | 15 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.0% |
| Rural Call Completion | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
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 Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
157 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 33.8% |
| Availability | 32 | 20.4% |
| Speed | 29 | 18.5% |
| Equipment | 13 | 8.3% |
| Interference | 12 | 7.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 7.0% |
| Privacy | 7 | 4.5% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 64 | 58.2% |
| Availability | 16 | 14.5% |
| Indecency | 11 | 10.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 5.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pirate Radio | 61 | 67.0% |
| Interference | 19 | 20.9% |
| Indecency | 8 | 8.8% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 2.2% |
| Billing | 1 | 1.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Pirate Radio and Interference, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 593 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 52% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (317) 491-6397 | 10 | 1.7% |
| (937) 592-7171 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (209) 463-4166 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (917) 301-4415 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (201) 285-1846 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (312) 638-1345 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (480) 835-1349 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (541) 471-3580 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (678) 392-2362 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (201) 754-1393 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.
- (317) 491-6397 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.