FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 November 2017
Introduction
On Friday, 17 November 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1021 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1127 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 695 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1021
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (695)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (108)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 17 November 2017 show 1021 complaints originating from 692 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 108 | 10.6% |
| Florida | 89 | 8.7% |
| Texas | 69 | 6.8% |
| New York | 62 | 6.1% |
| North Carolina | 47 | 4.6% |
| Virginia | 46 | 4.5% |
| Maryland | 38 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 38 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 36 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 34 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 454 | 44.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 845 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 845 | 82.8% |
| Internet | 80 | 7.8% |
| TV | 79 | 7.7% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
845 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 695 | 82.2% |
| Billing | 69 | 8.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.6% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 16 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
80 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 45.0% |
| Availability | 17 | 21.3% |
| Interference | 8 | 10.0% |
| Speed | 8 | 10.0% |
| Privacy | 5 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 3.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
79 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 50.6% |
| Availability | 14 | 17.7% |
| Indecency | 9 | 11.4% |
| Equipment | 6 | 7.6% |
| Privacy | 5 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 2.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.3% |
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.