FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 September 2017
Introduction
A total of 1114 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 21 September 2017, this was higher than the 1105 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with Florida slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 600 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1114
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (600)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (139)
Where the complaints came from
The 1114 complaints recorded on 21 September 2017 were submitted from 734 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 139 | 12.5% |
| California | 109 | 9.8% |
| Texas | 99 | 8.9% |
| New York | 62 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 52 | 4.7% |
| Illinois | 44 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 40 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 37 | 3.3% |
| New Jersey | 34 | 3.1% |
| Colorado | 32 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 465 | 41.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 801 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 801 | 71.9% |
| TV | 155 | 13.9% |
| Internet | 136 | 12.2% |
| Radio | 19 | 1.7% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
801 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 600 | 74.9% |
| Billing | 80 | 10.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 31 | 3.9% |
| Equipment | 18 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 17 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.2% |
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
155 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 72 | 46.5% |
| Availability | 46 | 29.7% |
| Equipment | 12 | 7.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.2% |
| Indecency | 4 | 2.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
136 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 62 | 45.6% |
| Billing | 33 | 24.3% |
| Speed | 17 | 12.5% |
| Equipment | 11 | 8.1% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.2% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.