FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 June 2017

Introduction

On 30 June 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 2609 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1233 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with Texas slightly ahead of the other locations. Indecency recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.

Key statistics

Total complaints
2609
States & territories reporting
52
Most common issue
Indecency (814)
Most reported state/territory
Texas (262)

Where the complaints came from

Across 1519 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 2609 complaints were recorded on 30 June 2017. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.

The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.

State/Territory Complaints
Texas 262 10.0%
California 236 9.0%
Florida 210 8.0%
Arizona 126 4.8%
New York 120 4.6%
Pennsylvania 115 4.4%
Georgia 98 3.8%
Colorado 82 3.1%
Tennessee 81 3.1%
Virginia 79 3.0%
Other states and territories 1200 46.0%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within TV, which accounted for 1535 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
TV 1535 58.8%
Phone 906 34.7%
Internet 146 5.6%
Radio 13 0.5%
Accessibility 6 0.2%
Emergency 2 0.1%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.0%

TV complaints

1535 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 58.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Indecency 812 52.9%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 269 17.5%
Interference 212 13.8%
Availability 126 8.2%
Billing 55 3.6%
Privacy 32 2.1%
Equipment 16 1.0%
Loud Commercials 13 0.8%

Indecency and Open Internet/Net Neutrality were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Phone complaints

906 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 34.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 750 82.8%
Billing 54 6.0%
Availability (including rural call completion) 26 2.9%
Equipment 24 2.6%
Privacy 19 2.1%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 14 1.5%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 6 0.7%
Interference (including signal jammers) 5 0.6%
Junk Faxes 5 0.6%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 2 0.2%
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.

Internet complaints

146 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 46 31.5%
Availability 29 19.9%
Speed 23 15.8%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 22 15.1%
Interference 11 7.5%
Equipment 10 6.8%
Privacy 5 3.4%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.

Unwanted calls

A total of 750 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 28.7% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(888) 223-2916 5 0.7%
(320) 207-5440 4 0.5%
(555) 555-5555 4 0.5%
(408) 342-1301 3 0.4%
(646) 809-9697 3 0.4%
(646) 809-9704 3 0.4%
(202) 540-5121 2 0.3%
(202) 546-8974 2 0.3%
(205) 872-0996 2 0.3%
(205) 975-8471 2 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (888) 223-2916 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 30 June 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.