FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 March 2017
Introduction
On 24 March 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1086 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1118 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 629 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1086
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (629)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (136)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1086 complaints were recorded on 24 March 2017, with reports originating from 726 cities in 51 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 136 | 12.5% |
| Florida | 87 | 8.0% |
| New York | 69 | 6.4% |
| Texas | 63 | 5.8% |
| Maryland | 48 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 48 | 4.4% |
| Ohio | 43 | 4.0% |
| Arizona | 42 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 35 | 3.2% |
| Washington | 29 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 486 | 44.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 819 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 819 | 75.4% |
| Internet | 125 | 11.5% |
| TV | 105 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 35 | 3.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
819 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 629 | 76.8% |
| Billing | 82 | 10.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.7% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail 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
125 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 40.0% |
| Availability | 26 | 20.8% |
| Speed | 23 | 18.4% |
| Privacy | 9 | 7.2% |
| Interference | 8 | 6.4% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 3.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
105 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 42.9% |
| Availability | 26 | 24.8% |
| Equipment | 11 | 10.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 9.5% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
35 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 29 | 82.9% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 8.6% |
| Indecency | 2 | 5.7% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Pirate Radio, 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.