FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 March 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 986 consumer complaints on Friday, 17 March 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1060 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 45 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 548 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 986
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (548)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (115)
Where the complaints came from
Across 698 cities in 45 states and territories, a total of 986 complaints were recorded on 17 March 2017. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. 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 | 115 | 11.7% |
| Texas | 80 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 76 | 7.7% |
| New York | 70 | 7.1% |
| Maryland | 46 | 4.7% |
| New Jersey | 43 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 39 | 4.0% |
| Tennessee | 37 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 32 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 406 | 41.2% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 727 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 727 | 73.7% |
| Internet | 132 | 13.4% |
| TV | 97 | 9.8% |
| Radio | 26 | 2.6% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
727 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 548 | 75.4% |
| Billing | 79 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 28 | 3.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 16 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 15 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
132 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 40.2% |
| Availability | 35 | 26.5% |
| Speed | 18 | 13.6% |
| Interference | 10 | 7.6% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 3.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 56.7% |
| Availability | 22 | 22.7% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.2% |
| Indecency | 6 | 6.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
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.