FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 February 2017
Introduction
A total of 337 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 19 February 2017, complaint volume fell from 444 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 43 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 337
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (80)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (38)
Where the complaints came from
On 19 February 2017, the 337 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 239 cities across 43 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 28 of the 36 complaints recorded in the state.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 38 | 11.3% |
| Maryland | 36 | 10.7% |
| Texas | 24 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 19 | 5.6% |
| Kentucky | 15 | 4.5% |
| Nevada | 14 | 4.2% |
| New York | 13 | 3.9% |
| Massachusetts | 12 | 3.6% |
| Ohio | 12 | 3.6% |
| Arizona | 11 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 143 | 42.4% |
Location highlight
Frederick accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Maryland.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 153 complaints. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 76 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 153 | 45.4% |
| Internet | 76 | 22.6% |
| TV | 66 | 19.6% |
| Radio | 39 | 11.6% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
153 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 45.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 80 | 52.3% |
| Billing | 28 | 18.3% |
| Equipment | 13 | 8.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 6 | 3.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 3.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 2.0% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.7% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 18 | 23.7% |
| Availability | 16 | 21.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 15 | 19.7% |
| Billing | 14 | 18.4% |
| Interference | 7 | 9.2% |
| Privacy | 4 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.6% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Speed, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
TV complaints
66 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 39.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 16 | 24.2% |
| Availability | 10 | 15.2% |
| Indecency | 7 | 10.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 9.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 31 | 79.5% |
| Pirate Radio | 6 | 15.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.6% |
| Indecency | 1 | 2.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Pirate Radio, 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.