FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 April 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1969 consumer complaints on 25 April 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1256 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Open Internet/Net Neutrality was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1969
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Open Internet/Net Neutrality (736)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (274)
Where the complaints came from
On 25 April 2017, the 1969 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 1097 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 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 | 274 | 13.9% |
| New York | 144 | 7.3% |
| Texas | 128 | 6.5% |
| Florida | 117 | 5.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 79 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 77 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 73 | 3.7% |
| Washington | 73 | 3.7% |
| Maryland | 72 | 3.7% |
| Michigan | 58 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 872 | 44.3% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 146 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 921 complaints. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 865 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 921 | 46.8% |
| Internet | 865 | 43.9% |
| TV | 122 | 6.2% |
| Radio | 56 | 2.8% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
921 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 46.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 707 | 76.8% |
| Billing | 107 | 11.6% |
| Equipment | 31 | 3.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 16 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.2% |
| 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
865 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 43.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 736 | 85.1% |
| Billing | 46 | 5.3% |
| Availability | 30 | 3.5% |
| Speed | 21 | 2.4% |
| Interference | 11 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.3% |
| Equipment | 10 | 1.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
122 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 68 | 55.7% |
| Equipment | 19 | 15.6% |
| Availability | 18 | 14.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.1% |
| Indecency | 3 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Equipment, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
56 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 46 | 82.1% |
| Indecency | 7 | 12.5% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 1.8% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.8% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 1.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Indecency, 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.