FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 November 2017
Introduction
On Sunday, 19 November 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 241 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 436 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 45 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 37 complaints. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 241
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (85)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (37)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 19 November 2017 show 241 complaints originating from 194 cities across 45 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 shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 37 | 15.4% |
| Texas | 17 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 16 | 6.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 6.6% |
| New York | 11 | 4.6% |
| Washington | 10 | 4.1% |
| Colorado | 9 | 3.7% |
| Missouri | 9 | 3.7% |
| Maryland | 8 | 3.3% |
| Indiana | 7 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 101 | 41.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 141 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 141 | 58.5% |
| TV | 52 | 21.6% |
| Internet | 42 | 17.4% |
| Radio | 4 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
141 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 58.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 85 | 60.3% |
| Billing | 27 | 19.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 4 | 2.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 2.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.7% |
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. 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
52 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 38.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 25.0% |
| Availability | 9 | 17.3% |
| Equipment | 5 | 9.6% |
| Indecency | 2 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.8% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
42 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 15 | 35.7% |
| Availability | 10 | 23.8% |
| Speed | 6 | 14.3% |
| Equipment | 5 | 11.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 7.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.4% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
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.