FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 November 2017
Introduction
On Sunday, 5 November 2017, 255 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 412 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 40 states and territories, with California recording the largest share of reports at 46 complaints. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 255
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (82)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (46)
Where the complaints came from
On 5 November 2017, the 255 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 209 cities across 40 states and territories. Complaints were less evenly distributed than usual, with California accounting for the highest proportion of reports. Complaints at the city level were distributed across multiple locations, with no single city accounting for a notable share.
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 | 46 | 18.0% |
| Florida | 20 | 7.8% |
| Illinois | 13 | 5.1% |
| Texas | 13 | 5.1% |
| Colorado | 12 | 4.7% |
| New Jersey | 12 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 11 | 4.3% |
| Alabama | 10 | 3.9% |
| New York | 10 | 3.9% |
| Virginia | 9 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 99 | 38.8% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 35 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 149 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 149 | 58.4% |
| TV | 53 | 20.8% |
| Internet | 42 | 16.5% |
| Radio | 10 | 3.9% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
149 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 58.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 82 | 55.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 12.8% |
| Billing | 19 | 12.8% |
| Equipment | 12 | 8.1% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 3.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 3.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.7% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
TV complaints
53 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 21 | 39.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 20.8% |
| Availability | 9 | 17.0% |
| Indecency | 6 | 11.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 5.7% |
Billing and Loud Commercials accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
42 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 14 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 13 | 31.0% |
| Interference | 6 | 14.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 9.5% |
| Speed | 4 | 9.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 2.4% |
Billing and Availability 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.