FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 March 2017
Introduction
A total of 290 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 19 March 2017, this represented a decline from the 435 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 45 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 290
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (84)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (33)
Where the complaints came from
Across 239 cities in 45 states and territories, a total of 290 complaints were recorded on 19 March 2017. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 33 | 11.4% |
| Florida | 27 | 9.3% |
| New York | 23 | 7.9% |
| Maryland | 18 | 6.2% |
| New Jersey | 16 | 5.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 15 | 5.2% |
| Ohio | 12 | 4.1% |
| Georgia | 11 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 9 | 3.1% |
| Texas | 9 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 117 | 40.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 144 reports. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 66 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 144 | 49.7% |
| Internet | 66 | 22.8% |
| TV | 62 | 21.4% |
| Radio | 13 | 4.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.7% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
144 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 49.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 84 | 58.3% |
| Billing | 29 | 20.1% |
| Privacy | 8 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 6 | 4.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 2.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.7% |
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, Privacy and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
66 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 30.3% |
| Speed | 14 | 21.2% |
| Availability | 10 | 15.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 12.1% |
| Interference | 5 | 7.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 7.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 6.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
62 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 16 | 25.8% |
| Indecency | 12 | 19.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 17.7% |
| Availability | 9 | 14.5% |
| Equipment | 5 | 8.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 4 | 6.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.6% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Indecency and Loud Commercials among the most 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.