FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 April 2017

Introduction

On 29 April 2017, 388 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1061 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 182 complaints recorded.

Key statistics

Total complaints
388
States & territories reporting
50
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (182)
Most reported state/territory
California (45)

Where the complaints came from

The 388 complaints recorded on 29 April 2017 originated from 308 cities across 50 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.

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 45 11.6%
Florida 30 7.7%
Texas 27 7.0%
New York 26 6.7%
Illinois 18 4.6%
Virginia 18 4.6%
Georgia 14 3.6%
Michigan 13 3.4%
Pennsylvania 13 3.4%
New Jersey 12 3.1%
Other states and territories 172 44.3%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 243 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 243 62.6%
Internet 75 19.3%
TV 57 14.7%
Radio 7 1.8%
Accessibility 5 1.3%
Emergency 1 0.3%

Phone complaints

243 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 62.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 182 74.9%
Billing 28 11.5%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 8 3.3%
Equipment 8 3.3%
Availability (including rural call completion) 7 2.9%
Junk Faxes 3 1.2%
Privacy 3 1.2%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 2 0.8%
Interference (including signal jammers) 1 0.4%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 1 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) and Equipment.

Internet complaints

75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 24 32.0%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 16 21.3%
Speed 13 17.3%
Availability 11 14.7%
Interference 5 6.7%
Privacy 4 5.3%
Equipment 2 2.7%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Speed.

TV complaints

57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Loud Commercials 19 33.3%
Billing 15 26.3%
Availability 8 14.0%
Indecency 8 14.0%
Equipment 4 7.0%
Privacy 2 3.5%
Interference 1 1.8%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Loud Commercials, Billing and Availability.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 29 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.