FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 March 2017
Introduction
On Saturday, 11 March 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 471 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1034 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 47 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 471
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (189)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (56)
Where the complaints came from
The 471 complaints recorded on 11 March 2017 originated from 350 cities across 47 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 56 | 11.9% |
| Maryland | 48 | 10.2% |
| Florida | 29 | 6.2% |
| New York | 29 | 6.2% |
| Texas | 28 | 5.9% |
| Ohio | 23 | 4.9% |
| Virginia | 19 | 4.0% |
| Michigan | 17 | 3.6% |
| Minnesota | 15 | 3.2% |
| Indiana | 13 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 193 | 41.0% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 48 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 295 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 295 | 62.6% |
| Internet | 73 | 15.5% |
| TV | 71 | 15.1% |
| Radio | 31 | 6.6% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
295 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 62.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 189 | 64.1% |
| Billing | 49 | 16.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 17 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 16 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 8 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.3% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
73 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 34.2% |
| Equipment | 12 | 16.4% |
| Availability | 11 | 15.1% |
| Speed | 10 | 13.7% |
| Interference | 7 | 9.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 8.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability.
TV complaints
71 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 56.3% |
| Availability | 12 | 16.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 8.5% |
| Equipment | 5 | 7.0% |
| Privacy | 4 | 5.6% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
31 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 29 | 93.5% |
| Availability | 1 | 3.2% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 3.2% |
Interference 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.