FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 May 2017
Introduction
On Friday, 19 May 2017, 1041 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 1202 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 717 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1041
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (717)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (120)
Where the complaints came from
The 1041 complaints recorded on 19 May 2017 originated from 684 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large 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 | 120 | 11.5% |
| Florida | 90 | 8.6% |
| Texas | 80 | 7.7% |
| New York | 73 | 7.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 4.1% |
| New Jersey | 36 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 35 | 3.4% |
| Arizona | 34 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 34 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 32 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 464 | 44.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 852 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 852 | 81.8% |
| TV | 83 | 8.0% |
| Internet | 79 | 7.6% |
| Accessibility | 15 | 1.4% |
| Radio | 8 | 0.8% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
852 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 717 | 84.2% |
| Billing | 57 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 19 | 2.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
83 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 51.8% |
| Indecency | 14 | 16.9% |
| Availability | 11 | 13.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 10.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
79 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 38.0% |
| Speed | 13 | 16.5% |
| Availability | 12 | 15.2% |
| Equipment | 7 | 8.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 8.9% |
| Privacy | 7 | 8.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.8% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most 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.