FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 February 2017
Introduction
A total of 1105 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 16 February 2017, this represented an increase from the 1077 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 562 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1105
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (562)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (135)
Where the complaints came from
The 1105 complaints recorded on 16 February 2017 were submitted from 761 cities across 52 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 135 | 12.2% |
| New York | 87 | 7.9% |
| Texas | 78 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 72 | 6.5% |
| Ohio | 50 | 4.5% |
| Georgia | 47 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 43 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 3.8% |
| Maryland | 40 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 40 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 468 | 42.4% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 759 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 759 | 68.7% |
| Internet | 189 | 17.1% |
| TV | 126 | 11.4% |
| Radio | 30 | 2.7% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
759 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 562 | 74.0% |
| Billing | 90 | 11.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 3.7% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
189 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 29.1% |
| Availability | 36 | 19.0% |
| Speed | 33 | 17.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 30 | 15.9% |
| Equipment | 14 | 7.4% |
| Privacy | 11 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 10 | 5.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
126 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 65 | 51.6% |
| Indecency | 18 | 14.3% |
| Availability | 14 | 11.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 8.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
30 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 16 | 53.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 9 | 30.0% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 3 | 10.0% |
| Billing | 2 | 6.7% |
Interference and Pirate Radio accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 562 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 50.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (516) 231-0987 | 7 | 1.2% |
| (937) 675-2373 | 5 | 0.9% |
| (281) 325-5614 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (317) 491-6397 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (269) 787-0021 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (330) 587-6532 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (423) 348-6454 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (515) 423-0628 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (651) 455-5769 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (718) 475-6405 | 3 | 0.5% |
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.
- (516) 231-0987 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.