FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 February 2017
Introduction
On 25 February 2017, 473 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1011 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 47 states and territories, with California recording the largest share of reports at 76 complaints. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 205 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 473
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (205)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (76)
Where the complaints came from
The 473 complaints recorded on 25 February 2017 originated from 373 cities across 47 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 76 | 16.1% |
| New York | 34 | 7.2% |
| Florida | 31 | 6.6% |
| Texas | 30 | 6.3% |
| Maryland | 28 | 5.9% |
| Illinois | 20 | 4.2% |
| Washington | 19 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 18 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 17 | 3.6% |
| Ohio | 13 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 187 | 39.5% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 57 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 288 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 288 | 60.9% |
| Internet | 82 | 17.3% |
| TV | 80 | 16.9% |
| Radio | 20 | 4.2% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.6% |
Phone complaints
288 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 60.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 205 | 71.2% |
| Billing | 31 | 10.8% |
| Equipment | 17 | 5.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 4.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 3.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 4 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.3% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 32.9% |
| Availability | 14 | 17.1% |
| Speed | 13 | 15.9% |
| Interference | 11 | 13.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 9.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 7.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.7% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
80 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 53.8% |
| Availability | 13 | 16.3% |
| Indecency | 7 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 6 | 7.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 7.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.5% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.