FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 March 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 447 consumer complaints on Saturday, 4 March 2017 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 906 complaints the previous day. Submissions were made from 45 states and territories, with California accounting for the highest number of complaints at 74. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 447
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (198)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (74)
Where the complaints came from
On 4 March 2017, the 447 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 351 cities across 45 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 74 | 16.6% |
| Florida | 33 | 7.4% |
| Texas | 29 | 6.5% |
| New York | 27 | 6.0% |
| Illinois | 20 | 4.5% |
| New Jersey | 18 | 4.0% |
| Massachusetts | 15 | 3.4% |
| Maryland | 15 | 3.4% |
| Colorado | 14 | 3.1% |
| Georgia | 14 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 188 | 42.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 304 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 304 | 68.0% |
| TV | 70 | 15.7% |
| Internet | 65 | 14.5% |
| Radio | 7 | 1.6% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
304 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 198 | 65.1% |
| Billing | 44 | 14.5% |
| Equipment | 16 | 5.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 5.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 4.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
TV complaints
70 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 48.6% |
| Availability | 11 | 15.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 12.9% |
| Indecency | 7 | 10.0% |
| Equipment | 5 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
65 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 43.1% |
| Speed | 12 | 18.5% |
| Availability | 10 | 15.4% |
| Interference | 6 | 9.2% |
| Privacy | 6 | 9.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 3.1% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Speed, 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.