FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 August 2017
Introduction
A total of 281 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 20 August 2017, this was lower than the 519 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 42 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 50 complaints. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 122 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 281
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (122)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (50)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 20 August 2017 show 281 complaints originating from 221 cities across 42 states and territories. 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 50 | 17.8% |
| Texas | 20 | 7.1% |
| Illinois | 17 | 6.0% |
| Colorado | 15 | 5.3% |
| Ohio | 14 | 5.0% |
| Alabama | 13 | 4.6% |
| Florida | 13 | 4.6% |
| Georgia | 11 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 11 | 3.9% |
| New York | 10 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 107 | 38.1% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 180 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 180 | 64.1% |
| TV | 57 | 20.3% |
| Internet | 30 | 10.7% |
| Radio | 11 | 3.9% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
180 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 122 | 67.8% |
| Billing | 22 | 12.2% |
| Equipment | 12 | 6.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 7 | 3.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 6 | 3.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 2 | 1.1% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Interference (including signal jammers).
TV complaints
57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 19 | 33.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 21.1% |
| Equipment | 9 | 15.8% |
| Availability | 7 | 12.3% |
| Interference | 4 | 7.0% |
| Indecency | 3 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 5.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Loud Commercials and Equipment.
Internet complaints
30 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 14 | 46.7% |
| Billing | 6 | 20.0% |
| Interference | 3 | 10.0% |
| Equipment | 2 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 6.7% |
| Speed | 2 | 6.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 3.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, 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.