FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 October 2017
Introduction
On Monday, 23 October 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 984 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 254 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 562 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 984
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (562)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (112)
Where the complaints came from
On 23 October 2017, the 984 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 698 cities across 52 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 112 | 11.4% |
| Florida | 79 | 8.0% |
| Texas | 63 | 6.4% |
| New York | 53 | 5.4% |
| North Carolina | 41 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 39 | 4.0% |
| Arizona | 38 | 3.9% |
| Virginia | 38 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.7% |
| Other states and territories | 448 | 45.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 748 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 748 | 76.0% |
| TV | 114 | 11.6% |
| Internet | 77 | 7.8% |
| Radio | 42 | 4.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
748 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 562 | 75.1% |
| Billing | 70 | 9.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 4.0% |
| Equipment | 25 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 15 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 43.0% |
| Availability | 36 | 31.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 9.6% |
| Equipment | 10 | 8.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.5% |
| Indecency | 2 | 1.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 36.4% |
| Speed | 19 | 24.7% |
| Availability | 16 | 20.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.2% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.9% |
Billing and Speed accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Radio complaints
42 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 34 | 81.0% |
| Interference | 4 | 9.5% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 4.8% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.4% |
Indecency and Interference 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.