FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 April 2017
Introduction
On Monday, 3 April 2017, 982 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 320 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 540 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 982
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (540)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (143)
Where the complaints came from
Across 664 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 982 complaints were recorded on 3 April 2017. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 143 | 14.6% |
| Florida | 74 | 7.5% |
| Texas | 64 | 6.5% |
| New York | 61 | 6.2% |
| Maryland | 46 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 4.6% |
| Ohio | 39 | 4.0% |
| New Jersey | 35 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 31 | 3.2% |
| Colorado | 30 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 411 | 41.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 727 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 727 | 74.0% |
| TV | 112 | 11.4% |
| Internet | 103 | 10.5% |
| Radio | 38 | 3.9% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
727 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 540 | 74.3% |
| Billing | 74 | 10.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 36 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 24 | 3.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 54 | 48.2% |
| Availability | 25 | 22.3% |
| Equipment | 12 | 10.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 9.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.5% |
| Indecency | 3 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 35.0% |
| Availability | 23 | 22.3% |
| Speed | 11 | 10.7% |
| Equipment | 10 | 9.7% |
| Interference | 9 | 8.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 6.8% |
| Privacy | 7 | 6.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
Radio complaints
38 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 29 | 76.3% |
| Indecency | 4 | 10.5% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 7.9% |
| Billing | 1 | 2.6% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.6% |
Interference and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less 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.