FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 October 2017
Introduction
On Monday, 16 October 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 978 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 319 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 53 states and territories, with Florida recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 558 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 978
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (558)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (97)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 16 October 2017 show 978 complaints originating from 710 cities across 53 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable 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 | 97 | 9.9% |
| California | 85 | 8.7% |
| Texas | 71 | 7.3% |
| Ohio | 59 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 5.2% |
| New York | 46 | 4.7% |
| North Carolina | 42 | 4.3% |
| Virginia | 34 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 33 | 3.4% |
| Arizona | 31 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 426 | 43.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 770 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 770 | 78.7% |
| TV | 103 | 10.5% |
| Internet | 95 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 9 | 0.9% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
770 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 558 | 72.5% |
| Billing | 87 | 11.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 36 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 24 | 3.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 21 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 18 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 58.3% |
| Availability | 17 | 16.5% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 6.8% |
| Indecency | 5 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
95 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 33.7% |
| Availability | 20 | 21.1% |
| Speed | 19 | 20.0% |
| Privacy | 10 | 10.5% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.2% |
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.