FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 May 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1296 consumer complaints on Tuesday, 23 May 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1041 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 818 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1296
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (818)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (152)
Where the complaints came from
The 1296 complaints recorded on 23 May 2017 originated from 842 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. 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 | 152 | 11.7% |
| Florida | 108 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 108 | 8.3% |
| New York | 94 | 7.3% |
| Illinois | 61 | 4.7% |
| Georgia | 48 | 3.7% |
| New Jersey | 47 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 46 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 41 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 535 | 41.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1018 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1018 | 78.5% |
| TV | 155 | 12.0% |
| Internet | 98 | 7.6% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1018 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 818 | 80.4% |
| Billing | 86 | 8.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 17 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
155 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 78 | 50.3% |
| Availability | 24 | 15.5% |
| Indecency | 22 | 14.2% |
| Equipment | 15 | 9.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 29.6% |
| Availability | 24 | 24.5% |
| Speed | 18 | 18.4% |
| Equipment | 11 | 11.2% |
| Interference | 10 | 10.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.1% |
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.