FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 September 2017
Introduction
A total of 268 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 3 September 2017, this was lower than the 450 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 39 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 104 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 268
- States & territories reporting
- 39
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (104)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (31)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 268 complaints were recorded on 3 September 2017, with reports originating from 205 cities in 39 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 31 | 11.6% |
| New York | 23 | 8.6% |
| Texas | 19 | 7.1% |
| Arizona | 15 | 5.6% |
| Florida | 13 | 4.9% |
| Michigan | 13 | 4.9% |
| Illinois | 12 | 4.5% |
| North Carolina | 12 | 4.5% |
| Colorado | 10 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 10 | 3.7% |
| Other states and territories | 110 | 41.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 159 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 159 | 59.3% |
| Internet | 52 | 19.4% |
| TV | 48 | 17.9% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 1.9% |
| Radio | 2 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
159 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 59.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 104 | 65.4% |
| Billing | 17 | 10.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 10 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 9 | 5.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.6% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
52 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 16 | 30.8% |
| Speed | 12 | 23.1% |
| Privacy | 7 | 13.5% |
| Availability | 5 | 9.6% |
| Equipment | 5 | 9.6% |
| Interference | 5 | 9.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 3.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Privacy.
TV complaints
48 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 16 | 33.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 25.0% |
| Availability | 10 | 20.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 14.6% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Loud Commercials and Availability.
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.