FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 November 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 886 consumer complaints on 22 November 2017 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1113 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 487 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 886
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (487)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (111)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 886 complaints were recorded on 22 November 2017, with reports originating from 613 cities in 53 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location 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 | 111 | 12.5% |
| Texas | 71 | 8.0% |
| Florida | 58 | 6.5% |
| New York | 49 | 5.5% |
| Georgia | 44 | 5.0% |
| Ohio | 33 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 32 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 28 | 3.2% |
| Tennessee | 28 | 3.2% |
| Arizona | 25 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 407 | 45.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 618 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 618 | 69.8% |
| Internet | 167 | 18.8% |
| TV | 86 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
618 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 487 | 78.8% |
| Billing | 36 | 5.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 32 | 5.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 17 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 16 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.3% |
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 Billing, Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
167 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 79 | 47.3% |
| Availability | 28 | 16.8% |
| Billing | 28 | 16.8% |
| Speed | 18 | 10.8% |
| Interference | 7 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 3 | 1.8% |
Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 47.7% |
| Availability | 20 | 23.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 14.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 8.1% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 487 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 55% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (256) 327-8800 | 5 | 1.0% |
| (248) 364-0449 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (303) 786-9500 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (325) 998-6503 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (414) 448-6328 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (716) 229-8572 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (786) 358-5595 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (800) 203-9815 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (831) 250-8939 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (832) 240-3011 | 2 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (256) 327-8800 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.