FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 September 2017

Introduction

On 9 September 2017, 439 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 972 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 46 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 222 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
439
States & territories reporting
46
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (222)
Most reported state/territory
California (60)

Where the complaints came from

On 9 September 2017, the 439 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 340 cities across 46 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 60 13.7%
New York 33 7.5%
Texas 29 6.6%
Florida 19 4.3%
Pennsylvania 19 4.3%
North Carolina 17 3.9%
Washington 17 3.9%
Illinois 16 3.6%
Connecticut 15 3.4%
Colorado 14 3.2%
Other states and territories 200 45.6%

Location highlight

California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 38 different cities.

What the complaints were about

A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 295 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 295 67.2%
TV 77 17.5%
Internet 55 12.5%
Radio 6 1.4%
Accessibility 5 1.1%
Emergency 1 0.2%

Phone complaints

295 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 222 75.3%
Billing 27 9.2%
Availability (including rural call completion) 16 5.4%
Equipment 9 3.1%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 6 2.0%
Junk Faxes 5 1.7%
Privacy 5 1.7%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 4 1.4%
Interference (including signal jammers) 1 0.3%

As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.

TV complaints

77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 34 44.2%
Availability 14 18.2%
Loud Commercials 11 14.3%
Equipment 8 10.4%
Indecency 7 9.1%
Interference 2 2.6%
Privacy 1 1.3%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Internet complaints

55 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 19 34.5%
Availability 11 20.0%
Speed 8 14.5%
Equipment 7 12.7%
Interference 6 10.9%
Privacy 4 7.3%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 9 September 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.