FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 July 2017
Introduction
On Monday, 31 July 2017, 1064 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 247 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 645 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1064
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (645)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (121)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1064 complaints were recorded on 31 July 2017, with reports originating from 730 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 121 | 11.4% |
| Florida | 110 | 10.3% |
| Texas | 75 | 7.0% |
| New York | 60 | 5.6% |
| New Jersey | 46 | 4.3% |
| Ohio | 46 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 43 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 39 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 35 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 444 | 41.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 842 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 842 | 79.1% |
| Internet | 109 | 10.2% |
| TV | 98 | 9.2% |
| Radio | 8 | 0.8% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
842 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 645 | 76.6% |
| Billing | 86 | 10.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 34 | 4.0% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 34.9% |
| Speed | 27 | 24.8% |
| Availability | 16 | 14.7% |
| Equipment | 11 | 10.1% |
| Interference | 8 | 7.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 7 | 6.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 59.2% |
| Availability | 12 | 12.2% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.2% |
| Indecency | 9 | 9.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
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.