FCC Consumer Complaints – 8 March 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1120 consumer complaints on 8 March 2017 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1127 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California recording the largest share of reports at 165 complaints. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 621 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1120
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (621)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (165)
Where the complaints came from
On 8 March 2017, the 1120 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 764 cities across 51 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 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 | 165 | 14.7% |
| Florida | 82 | 7.3% |
| Texas | 64 | 5.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 60 | 5.4% |
| Ohio | 58 | 5.2% |
| Illinois | 54 | 4.8% |
| New York | 54 | 4.8% |
| Maryland | 44 | 3.9% |
| Washington | 37 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 34 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 465 | 41.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 824 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 824 | 73.6% |
| Internet | 146 | 13.0% |
| TV | 120 | 10.7% |
| Radio | 26 | 2.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
824 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 621 | 75.4% |
| Billing | 87 | 10.6% |
| Equipment | 31 | 3.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
146 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 64 | 43.8% |
| Availability | 29 | 19.9% |
| Speed | 28 | 19.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 7.5% |
| Interference | 8 | 5.5% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 0.7% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
120 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 48.3% |
| Availability | 22 | 18.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 18 | 15.0% |
| Indecency | 9 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.7% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.