FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 April 2017

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1244 consumer complaints on 11 April 2017 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 974 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 698 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1244
States & territories reporting
52
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (698)
Most reported state/territory
California (176)

Where the complaints came from

The 1244 complaints recorded on 11 April 2017 were submitted from 807 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. 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 176 14.1%
Florida 103 8.3%
New York 77 6.2%
Texas 75 6.0%
Maryland 67 5.4%
Michigan 55 4.4%
Illinois 50 4.0%
Pennsylvania 44 3.5%
Georgia 40 3.2%
New Jersey 40 3.2%
Other states and territories 511 41.1%

Location highlight

California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 106 different cities.

What the complaints were about

A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 911 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 911 73.2%
Internet 167 13.4%
TV 109 8.8%
Radio 53 4.3%
Accessibility 2 0.2%
Emergency 2 0.2%

Phone complaints

911 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 698 76.6%
Billing 96 10.5%
Availability (including rural call completion) 29 3.2%
Equipment 27 3.0%
Junk Faxes 16 1.8%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 12 1.3%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 11 1.2%
Privacy 11 1.2%
Interference (including signal jammers) 9 1.0%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.

Internet complaints

167 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 72 43.1%
Speed 25 15.0%
Availability 23 13.8%
Equipment 21 12.6%
Interference 11 6.6%
Privacy 10 6.0%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 5 3.0%

Billing represented the largest share of complaints recorded in this category, with lower volumes reported across the remaining issues.

TV complaints

109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 56 51.4%
Availability 23 21.1%
Loud Commercials 12 11.0%
Interference 7 6.4%
Equipment 5 4.6%
Privacy 3 2.8%
Indecency 2 1.8%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 0.9%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Radio complaints

53 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Interference 46 86.8%
Indecency 4 7.5%
Billing 2 3.8%
Commercials/Promotions 1 1.9%

Interference and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Unwanted calls

698 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 56.1% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.

Most reported caller ID numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(779) 225-5069 5 0.7%
(215) 666-0663 4 0.6%
(773) 432-8108 4 0.6%
(245) 678-9000 3 0.4%
(305) 515-8977 3 0.4%
(346) 203-8538 3 0.4%
(346) 999-6018 3 0.4%
(347) 763-7260 3 0.4%
(347) 892-4693 3 0.4%
(352) 658-6532 3 0.4%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
  • (779) 225-5069 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 11 April 2017.

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.