FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 May 2017
Introduction
On Wednesday, 3 May 2017, 2347 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 1222 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Indecency, with 1261 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 2347
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Indecency (1261)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (252)
Where the complaints came from
The 2347 complaints recorded on 3 May 2017 were submitted from 1409 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 252 | 10.7% |
| Florida | 195 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 190 | 8.1% |
| New York | 141 | 6.0% |
| Ohio | 98 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 88 | 3.7% |
| Michigan | 77 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 76 | 3.2% |
| New Jersey | 75 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 75 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 1076 | 45.8% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 150 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. TV was the most reported category, with 1356 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TV | 1356 | 57.8% |
| Phone | 870 | 37.1% |
| Internet | 105 | 4.5% |
| Radio | 13 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.1% |
TV complaints
1356 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 57.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 1258 | 92.8% |
| Billing | 57 | 4.2% |
| Equipment | 13 | 1.0% |
| Availability | 10 | 0.7% |
| Interference | 8 | 0.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 0.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 0.2% |
Indecency and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Phone complaints
870 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 37.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 690 | 79.3% |
| Billing | 66 | 7.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 34 | 3.9% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
105 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 32.4% |
| Availability | 22 | 21.0% |
| Speed | 21 | 20.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 12 | 11.4% |
| Equipment | 11 | 10.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.9% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
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.