FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 July 2017
Introduction
On 4 July 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 427 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 872 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 48 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 203 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 427
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (203)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (50)
Where the complaints came from
Across 356 cities in 48 states and territories, a total of 427 complaints were recorded on 4 July 2017. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | 50 | 11.7% |
| Texas | 43 | 10.1% |
| Florida | 28 | 6.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 23 | 5.4% |
| Ohio | 18 | 4.2% |
| Virginia | 18 | 4.2% |
| New York | 17 | 4.0% |
| Washington | 15 | 3.5% |
| Arizona | 14 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 14 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 187 | 43.8% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 43 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 4 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 271 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 271 | 63.5% |
| TV | 103 | 24.1% |
| Internet | 51 | 11.9% |
| Radio | 2 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
271 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 63.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 203 | 74.9% |
| Billing | 27 | 10.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 15 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 9 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 3.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.4% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 24.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 40 | 38.8% |
| Billing | 31 | 30.1% |
| Availability | 10 | 9.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Indecency and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
51 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 21 | 41.2% |
| Availability | 10 | 19.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 15.7% |
| Interference | 5 | 9.8% |
| Speed | 3 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.