FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 April 2017
Introduction
On 1 April 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 428 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1133 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 45 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 232 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 428
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (232)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (51)
Where the complaints came from
On 1 April 2017, the 428 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 344 cities across 45 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 | 51 | 11.9% |
| Florida | 33 | 7.7% |
| Texas | 30 | 7.0% |
| New York | 27 | 6.3% |
| Ohio | 21 | 4.9% |
| Georgia | 19 | 4.4% |
| Maryland | 17 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 17 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 14 | 3.3% |
| Indiana | 14 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 184 | 43.0% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 40 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 293 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 293 | 68.5% |
| Internet | 79 | 18.5% |
| TV | 45 | 10.5% |
| Radio | 10 | 2.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
293 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 232 | 79.2% |
| Billing | 21 | 7.2% |
| Equipment | 10 | 3.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 2.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 4 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.7% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
79 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 38.0% |
| Speed | 17 | 21.5% |
| Privacy | 9 | 11.4% |
| Availability | 8 | 10.1% |
| Interference | 7 | 8.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.8% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Privacy.
TV complaints
45 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 44.4% |
| Availability | 9 | 20.0% |
| Indecency | 4 | 8.9% |
| Interference | 4 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 4.4% |
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.