FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 September 2017
Introduction
On Saturday, 23 September 2017, 380 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 983 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 42 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 184 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 380
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (184)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (43)
Where the complaints came from
Across 308 cities in 42 states and territories, a total of 380 complaints were recorded on 23 September 2017. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 43 | 11.3% |
| Florida | 39 | 10.3% |
| Texas | 31 | 8.2% |
| Illinois | 19 | 5.0% |
| New Jersey | 19 | 5.0% |
| New York | 16 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 16 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 15 | 3.9% |
| Michigan | 14 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 14 | 3.7% |
| Other states and territories | 154 | 40.5% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 4 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 248 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 248 | 65.3% |
| TV | 68 | 17.9% |
| Internet | 57 | 15.0% |
| Radio | 7 | 1.8% |
Phone complaints
248 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 65.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 184 | 74.2% |
| Billing | 25 | 10.1% |
| Equipment | 12 | 4.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 10 | 4.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 4 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.4% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
68 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 39.7% |
| Availability | 13 | 19.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 17.6% |
| Indecency | 6 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 5 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.9% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials.
Internet complaints
57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 35.1% |
| Availability | 18 | 31.6% |
| Speed | 13 | 22.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.5% |
Billing and Availability 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.