FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 October 2017
Introduction
On 18 October 2017, 1220 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1228 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 800 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1220
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (800)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (156)
Where the complaints came from
On 18 October 2017, the 1220 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 819 cities across 51 states and territories. 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 | 156 | 12.8% |
| Florida | 96 | 7.9% |
| New York | 67 | 5.5% |
| Texas | 67 | 5.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 54 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 49 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 44 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 41 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 40 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 40 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 554 | 45.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 995 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 995 | 81.6% |
| TV | 130 | 10.7% |
| Internet | 81 | 6.6% |
| Radio | 10 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
995 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 800 | 80.4% |
| Billing | 80 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 28 | 2.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 20 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 19 | 1.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
130 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 71 | 54.6% |
| Availability | 21 | 16.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 10.0% |
| Indecency | 11 | 8.5% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.2% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
81 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 40.7% |
| Availability | 17 | 21.0% |
| Speed | 12 | 14.8% |
| Interference | 7 | 8.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.