FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 September 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 996 consumer complaints on 29 September 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1022 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 48 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 635 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 996
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (635)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (129)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 996 complaints were recorded on 29 September 2017, with reports originating from 639 cities in 48 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 129 | 13.0% |
| Florida | 81 | 8.1% |
| Texas | 64 | 6.4% |
| Ohio | 58 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 53 | 5.3% |
| North Carolina | 45 | 4.5% |
| New York | 45 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 35 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 34 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 413 | 41.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 789 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 789 | 79.2% |
| TV | 95 | 9.5% |
| Internet | 94 | 9.4% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
789 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 635 | 80.5% |
| Billing | 69 | 8.7% |
| Equipment | 24 | 3.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 17 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
95 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 37 | 38.9% |
| Availability | 24 | 25.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 12.6% |
| Indecency | 11 | 11.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
94 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 27.7% |
| Availability | 22 | 23.4% |
| Speed | 17 | 18.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 10 | 10.6% |
| Interference | 9 | 9.6% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
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.