FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 October 2017
Introduction
On Tuesday, 17 October 2017, 1228 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 978 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 759 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1228
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (759)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (149)
Where the complaints came from
The 1228 complaints recorded on 17 October 2017 were submitted from 802 cities across 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 149 | 12.1% |
| Florida | 122 | 9.9% |
| New York | 73 | 5.9% |
| Texas | 71 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 52 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 48 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 38 | 3.1% |
| Georgia | 38 | 3.1% |
| North Carolina | 38 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 548 | 44.6% |
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 979 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 979 | 79.7% |
| TV | 142 | 11.6% |
| Internet | 94 | 7.7% |
| Radio | 9 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
979 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 759 | 77.5% |
| Billing | 90 | 9.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 31 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 23 | 2.3% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 3 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Privacy.
TV complaints
142 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 82 | 57.7% |
| Availability | 24 | 16.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 16 | 11.3% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.7% |
| Indecency | 3 | 2.1% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.7% |
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 7.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 35.1% |
| Availability | 28 | 29.8% |
| Speed | 15 | 16.0% |
| Interference | 9 | 9.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.