FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 April 2017
Introduction
On 15 April 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 439 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 881 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 47 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 218 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 439
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (218)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (70)
Where the complaints came from
Across 314 cities in 47 states and territories, a total of 439 complaints were recorded on 15 April 2017. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Maryland, where Frederick accounted for 25 of the 40 complaints recorded in the state.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 70 | 15.9% |
| Maryland | 40 | 9.1% |
| Florida | 34 | 7.7% |
| New York | 27 | 6.2% |
| Texas | 26 | 5.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 18 | 4.1% |
| New Jersey | 15 | 3.4% |
| Alabama | 13 | 3.0% |
| Virginia | 13 | 3.0% |
| Illinois | 11 | 2.5% |
| Other states and territories | 172 | 39.2% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Maryland were heavily concentrated in Frederick, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 279 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 279 | 63.6% |
| Internet | 61 | 13.9% |
| TV | 61 | 13.9% |
| Radio | 36 | 8.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
279 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 63.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 218 | 78.1% |
| Billing | 27 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 15 | 5.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 6 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 6 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 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
61 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 17 | 27.9% |
| Availability | 12 | 19.7% |
| Speed | 10 | 16.4% |
| Interference | 8 | 13.1% |
| Equipment | 6 | 9.8% |
| Privacy | 5 | 8.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 4.9% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
61 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 45.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 21.3% |
| Indecency | 8 | 13.1% |
| Availability | 7 | 11.5% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.6% |
Billing and Loud Commercials were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
36 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 30 | 83.3% |
| Pirate Radio | 4 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 5.6% |
Interference and Pirate Radio 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.