FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 March 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 906 consumer complaints on Friday, 3 March 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 988 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 463 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 906
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (463)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (115)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 906 complaints were recorded on 3 March 2017, with reports originating from 644 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 115 | 12.7% |
| Texas | 67 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 63 | 7.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 5.5% |
| New York | 46 | 5.1% |
| Maryland | 36 | 4.0% |
| Georgia | 35 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 31 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 30 | 3.3% |
| Arizona | 27 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 406 | 44.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 657 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 657 | 72.5% |
| Internet | 132 | 14.6% |
| TV | 97 | 10.7% |
| Radio | 18 | 2.0% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
657 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 463 | 70.5% |
| Billing | 70 | 10.7% |
| Equipment | 34 | 5.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 3.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 22 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
132 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 34.1% |
| Availability | 23 | 17.4% |
| Speed | 20 | 15.2% |
| Equipment | 13 | 9.8% |
| Interference | 13 | 9.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 9 | 6.8% |
| Privacy | 9 | 6.8% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 59.8% |
| Availability | 14 | 14.4% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.1% |
| Indecency | 1 | 1.0% |
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.