FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 March 2017
Introduction
On Monday, 6 March 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 845 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 278 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 414 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 845
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (414)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (96)
Where the complaints came from
On 6 March 2017, the 845 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 609 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 96 | 11.4% |
| Florida | 84 | 9.9% |
| Texas | 57 | 6.7% |
| New York | 49 | 5.8% |
| Georgia | 37 | 4.4% |
| Ohio | 34 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 28 | 3.3% |
| Arizona | 27 | 3.2% |
| Illinois | 27 | 3.2% |
| Maryland | 25 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 377 | 44.6% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 605 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 605 | 71.6% |
| Internet | 112 | 13.3% |
| TV | 111 | 13.1% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.9% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
605 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 414 | 68.4% |
| Billing | 73 | 12.1% |
| Equipment | 30 | 5.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 4.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 14 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 14 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 3 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 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 Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 42.0% |
| Availability | 27 | 24.1% |
| Speed | 14 | 12.5% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.0% |
| Interference | 7 | 6.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
111 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 68 | 61.3% |
| Availability | 25 | 22.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.6% |
| Indecency | 4 | 3.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 2.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
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.