FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 December 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 891 consumer complaints on 1 December 2017 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1055 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 557 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 891
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (557)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (101)
Where the complaints came from
Across 627 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 891 complaints were recorded on 1 December 2017. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 101 | 11.3% |
| Florida | 78 | 8.8% |
| Texas | 57 | 6.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 53 | 5.9% |
| New York | 42 | 4.7% |
| Georgia | 39 | 4.4% |
| Ohio | 36 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 35 | 3.9% |
| Washington | 33 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 29 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 388 | 43.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 715 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 715 | 80.2% |
| Internet | 86 | 9.7% |
| TV | 72 | 8.1% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.7% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
715 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 557 | 77.9% |
| Billing | 70 | 9.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 3.1% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 15 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 36.0% |
| Availability | 15 | 17.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 13 | 15.1% |
| Speed | 10 | 11.6% |
| Equipment | 9 | 10.5% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.
TV complaints
72 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 63.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 13.9% |
| Availability | 4 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.6% |
| Indecency | 3 | 4.2% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
Billing and Loud Commercials were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less 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.