FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 February 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 709 consumer complaints on Monday, 20 February 2017 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 337 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 48 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 364 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 709
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (364)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (94)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 20 February 2017 show 709 complaints originating from 502 cities across 48 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 94 | 13.3% |
| Florida | 53 | 7.5% |
| Texas | 53 | 7.5% |
| Michigan | 36 | 5.1% |
| New York | 35 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 32 | 4.5% |
| Maryland | 29 | 4.1% |
| Georgia | 28 | 3.9% |
| Virginia | 26 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 25 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 298 | 42.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 491 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 491 | 69.3% |
| Internet | 111 | 15.7% |
| TV | 79 | 11.1% |
| Radio | 24 | 3.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
491 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 364 | 74.1% |
| Billing | 54 | 11.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 3.7% |
| Equipment | 18 | 3.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 6 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.0% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
111 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 31.5% |
| Availability | 23 | 20.7% |
| Speed | 20 | 18.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 14 | 12.6% |
| Privacy | 11 | 9.9% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.6% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.6% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
79 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 48 | 60.8% |
| Availability | 9 | 11.4% |
| Indecency | 9 | 11.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 7.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
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.