FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 March 2017
Introduction
A total of 435 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Saturday, 18 March 2017, complaint volume fell from 986 complaints the day before. Submissions were made from 48 states and territories, with California accounting for the highest number of complaints at 52. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 435
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (188)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (52)
Where the complaints came from
On 18 March 2017, the 435 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 351 cities across 48 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 52 | 12.0% |
| New York | 26 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 26 | 6.0% |
| Florida | 25 | 5.7% |
| Texas | 23 | 5.3% |
| Maryland | 20 | 4.6% |
| Ohio | 20 | 4.6% |
| Michigan | 18 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 17 | 3.9% |
| Washington | 16 | 3.7% |
| Other states and territories | 192 | 44.1% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 268 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 268 | 61.6% |
| Internet | 80 | 18.4% |
| TV | 77 | 17.7% |
| Radio | 8 | 1.8% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
268 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 61.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 188 | 70.1% |
| Billing | 32 | 11.9% |
| Equipment | 15 | 5.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 11 | 4.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.4% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
80 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 41.3% |
| Speed | 22 | 27.5% |
| Availability | 10 | 12.5% |
| Interference | 6 | 7.5% |
| Privacy | 6 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Speed, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 45.5% |
| Availability | 15 | 19.5% |
| Indecency | 9 | 11.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 10.4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 9.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.