FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 March 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1501 consumer complaints on Wednesday, 29 March 2017 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1648 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 1018 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1501
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (1018)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (197)
Where the complaints came from
Across 951 cities in 53 states and territories, a total of 1501 complaints were recorded on 29 March 2017. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 197 | 13.1% |
| Texas | 121 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 110 | 7.3% |
| New York | 87 | 5.8% |
| Illinois | 70 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 70 | 4.7% |
| Georgia | 53 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 46 | 3.1% |
| Washington | 44 | 2.9% |
| Ohio | 42 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 658 | 43.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1238 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1238 | 82.5% |
| Internet | 141 | 9.4% |
| TV | 98 | 6.5% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.1% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1238 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 1018 | 82.2% |
| Billing | 77 | 6.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 36 | 2.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 25 | 2.0% |
| Equipment | 24 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 16 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Junk Faxes.
Internet complaints
141 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 36.2% |
| Privacy | 25 | 17.7% |
| Speed | 25 | 17.7% |
| Availability | 21 | 14.9% |
| Interference | 7 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 4.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 6 | 4.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Privacy and Speed.
TV complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 59 | 60.2% |
| Availability | 19 | 19.4% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 7.1% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.