FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 March 2017
Introduction
On Monday, 13 March 2017, 1020 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 265 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with Florida recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 495 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1020
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (495)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (117)
Where the complaints came from
Across 679 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 1020 complaints were recorded on 13 March 2017. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 117 | 11.5% |
| California | 105 | 10.3% |
| Texas | 63 | 6.2% |
| Maryland | 49 | 4.8% |
| New York | 49 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 38 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 34 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 34 | 3.3% |
| Arizona | 29 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 452 | 44.3% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 709 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 709 | 69.5% |
| TV | 140 | 13.7% |
| Internet | 128 | 12.5% |
| Radio | 40 | 3.9% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
709 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 495 | 69.8% |
| Billing | 108 | 15.2% |
| Equipment | 25 | 3.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 14 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
140 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 87 | 62.1% |
| Availability | 17 | 12.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 7.1% |
| Indecency | 9 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
128 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 38.3% |
| Availability | 29 | 22.7% |
| Speed | 23 | 18.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 8.6% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.5% |
| Interference | 7 | 5.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.6% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
40 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 32 | 80.0% |
| Availability | 3 | 7.5% |
| Indecency | 3 | 7.5% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.5% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 2.5% |
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.