FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 December 2017
Introduction
On Wednesday, 13 December 2017, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1149 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1124 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 661 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1149
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (661)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (109)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1149 complaints were recorded on 13 December 2017, with reports originating from 761 cities in 52 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 109 | 9.5% |
| Florida | 101 | 8.8% |
| Texas | 68 | 5.9% |
| Ohio | 58 | 5.0% |
| New York | 51 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 47 | 4.1% |
| South Carolina | 46 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 45 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.7% |
| Colorado | 39 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 538 | 46.8% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 848 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 848 | 73.8% |
| Internet | 190 | 16.5% |
| TV | 90 | 7.8% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.6% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
848 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 661 | 77.9% |
| Billing | 100 | 11.8% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 19 | 2.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 14 | 1.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Privacy.
Internet complaints
190 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 84 | 44.2% |
| Availability | 37 | 19.5% |
| Billing | 35 | 18.4% |
| Speed | 15 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 8 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 4.2% |
| Equipment | 3 | 1.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 52.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 14.4% |
| Equipment | 12 | 13.3% |
| Availability | 11 | 12.2% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, 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.