FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 February 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 337 consumer complaints on 12 February 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 543 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 43 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Billing was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 337
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Billing (85)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (42)
Where the complaints came from
On 12 February 2017, the 337 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 245 cities across 43 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 42 | 12.5% |
| Texas | 32 | 9.5% |
| Florida | 28 | 8.3% |
| New York | 23 | 6.8% |
| Massachusetts | 19 | 5.6% |
| Maryland | 19 | 5.6% |
| Illinois | 12 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 11 | 3.3% |
| Nevada | 11 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 10 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 130 | 38.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 130 reports. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 93 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 130 | 38.6% |
| Internet | 93 | 27.6% |
| Radio | 57 | 16.9% |
| TV | 53 | 15.7% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
130 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 38.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 72 | 55.4% |
| Billing | 31 | 23.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 5.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 5.4% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 2.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.8% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
Internet complaints
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 27.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 29.0% |
| Availability | 20 | 21.5% |
| Speed | 19 | 20.4% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.6% |
| Privacy | 8 | 8.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.4% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
Radio complaints
57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 22 | 38.6% |
| Pirate Radio | 18 | 31.6% |
| Interference | 15 | 26.3% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 1.8% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Indecency and Pirate Radio, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
53 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 50.9% |
| Availability | 9 | 17.0% |
| Interference | 8 | 15.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 11.3% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.8% |
| Indecency | 1 | 1.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.