FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 July 2017

Introduction

On 29 July 2017, 503 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1178 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 48 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 252 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
503
States & territories reporting
48
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (252)
Most reported state/territory
California (75)

Where the complaints came from

The 503 complaints recorded on 29 July 2017 were submitted from 356 cities across 48 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.

The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.

State/Territory Complaints
California 75 14.9%
Florida 43 8.5%
Ohio 35 7.0%
Texas 27 5.4%
New York 23 4.6%
Iowa 21 4.2%
Pennsylvania 18 3.6%
Illinois 17 3.4%
New Jersey 16 3.2%
Georgia 15 3.0%
Other states and territories 213 42.3%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 346 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 346 68.8%
Internet 84 16.7%
TV 62 12.3%
Radio 9 1.8%
Emergency 1 0.2%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.2%

Phone complaints

346 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 252 72.8%
Billing 41 11.8%
Availability (including rural call completion) 18 5.2%
Equipment 12 3.5%
Interference (including signal jammers) 6 1.7%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 6 1.7%
Privacy 6 1.7%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 2 0.6%
Junk Faxes 2 0.6%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 0.3%

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

84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 21 25.0%
Privacy 18 21.4%
Speed 18 21.4%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 9 10.7%
Availability 7 8.3%
Equipment 6 7.1%
Interference 5 6.0%

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

TV complaints

62 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 34 54.8%
Loud Commercials 7 11.3%
Availability 6 9.7%
Equipment 5 8.1%
Indecency 5 8.1%
Interference 4 6.5%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.6%

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 July 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.