FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 April 2017
Introduction
On 10 April 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 974 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 282 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 585 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 974
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (585)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (148)
Where the complaints came from
Across 662 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 974 complaints were recorded on 10 April 2017. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 148 | 15.2% |
| Florida | 91 | 9.3% |
| Texas | 57 | 5.9% |
| Maryland | 54 | 5.5% |
| New York | 48 | 4.9% |
| Georgia | 35 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 29 | 3.0% |
| Illinois | 28 | 2.9% |
| Virginia | 28 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 419 | 43.0% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 87 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 740 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 740 | 76.0% |
| Internet | 104 | 10.7% |
| TV | 95 | 9.8% |
| Radio | 32 | 3.3% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
740 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 585 | 79.1% |
| Billing | 66 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 30 | 4.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 17 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
104 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 39.4% |
| Availability | 26 | 25.0% |
| Equipment | 12 | 11.5% |
| Speed | 11 | 10.6% |
| Privacy | 6 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 2.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
95 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 51.6% |
| Availability | 16 | 16.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 11.6% |
| Equipment | 9 | 9.5% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.2% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
32 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 3.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 26 | 81.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 3 | 9.4% |
| Availability | 1 | 3.1% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 3.1% |
| Indecency | 1 | 3.1% |
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.