FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 May 2017

Introduction

On Monday, 29 May 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 357 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 194 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 45 states and territories, with Florida recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 197 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
357
States & territories reporting
45
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (197)
Most reported state/territory
Florida (37)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 357 complaints were recorded on 29 May 2017, with reports originating from 289 cities in 45 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
Florida 37 10.4%
California 36 10.1%
New York 20 5.6%
North Carolina 16 4.5%
Texas 16 4.5%
Illinois 15 4.2%
New Jersey 14 3.9%
Georgia 13 3.6%
Kentucky 13 3.6%
Ohio 13 3.6%
Other states and territories 164 45.9%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 4 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 244 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 244 68.3%
Internet 54 15.1%
TV 51 14.3%
Radio 8 2.2%

Phone complaints

244 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 197 80.7%
Billing 18 7.4%
Equipment 8 3.3%
Availability (including rural call completion) 7 2.9%
Privacy 7 2.9%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 3 1.2%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 2 0.8%
Interference (including signal jammers) 1 0.4%
Junk Faxes 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).

Internet complaints

54 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 15 27.8%
Availability 13 24.1%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 9 16.7%
Speed 9 16.7%
Equipment 3 5.6%
Interference 3 5.6%
Privacy 2 3.7%

The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.

TV complaints

51 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 26 51.0%
Loud Commercials 10 19.6%
Availability 6 11.8%
Indecency 5 9.8%
Interference 2 3.9%
Equipment 1 2.0%
Privacy 1 2.0%

Billing and Loud Commercials accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

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