FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 May 2017
Introduction
A total of 915 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 1 May 2017, this represented an increase from the 280 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 509 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 915
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (509)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (86)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 915 complaints were recorded on 1 May 2017, with reports originating from 626 cities in 49 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. 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 | 86 | 9.4% |
| Florida | 69 | 7.5% |
| Texas | 65 | 7.1% |
| New York | 53 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 47 | 5.1% |
| Illinois | 40 | 4.4% |
| Ohio | 34 | 3.7% |
| Maryland | 33 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 31 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 29 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 423 | 46.2% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 65 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 672 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 672 | 73.4% |
| Internet | 125 | 13.7% |
| TV | 98 | 10.7% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
672 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 509 | 75.7% |
| Billing | 70 | 10.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 18 | 2.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided 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
125 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 31.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 22 | 17.6% |
| Speed | 20 | 16.0% |
| Availability | 17 | 13.6% |
| Equipment | 13 | 10.4% |
| Privacy | 8 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.8% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 51.0% |
| Equipment | 13 | 13.3% |
| Availability | 12 | 12.2% |
| Indecency | 9 | 9.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Equipment accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.