FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 October 2017
Introduction
On 29 October 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 335 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 541 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 42 states and territories, with North Carolina recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 169 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 335
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (169)
- Most reported state/territory
- North Carolina (40)
Where the complaints came from
Across 219 cities in 42 states and territories, a total of 335 complaints were recorded on 29 October 2017. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Louisiana, where Meraux accounted for 36 of the 38 complaints recorded in the state.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 40 | 11.9% |
| Louisiana | 38 | 11.3% |
| California | 32 | 9.6% |
| Florida | 25 | 7.5% |
| New York | 19 | 5.7% |
| Texas | 15 | 4.5% |
| Colorado | 13 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 13 | 3.9% |
| Maryland | 12 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 10 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 118 | 35.2% |
Location highlight
Nearly all complaints reported in Louisiana originated from Meraux.
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 226 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 226 | 67.5% |
| TV | 59 | 17.6% |
| Internet | 41 | 12.2% |
| Radio | 7 | 2.1% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.6% |
Phone complaints
226 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 169 | 74.8% |
| Billing | 17 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 11 | 4.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 3.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 5 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 1.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.9% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
59 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 21 | 35.6% |
| Availability | 15 | 25.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 11.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 10.2% |
| Indecency | 5 | 8.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.7% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
41 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 15 | 36.6% |
| Speed | 11 | 26.8% |
| Availability | 5 | 12.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 9.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 7.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.4% |
Billing and Speed 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.