FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 December 2017

Introduction

A total of 281 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 17 December 2017, this was lower than the 532 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 44 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.

Key statistics

Total complaints
281
States & territories reporting
44
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (80)
Most reported state/territory
California (45)

Where the complaints came from

The 281 complaints recorded on 17 December 2017 originated from 231 cities across 44 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 45 16.0%
Florida 25 8.9%
Texas 21 7.5%
Illinois 20 7.1%
New York 18 6.4%
Pennsylvania 12 4.3%
Arizona 10 3.6%
Colorado 9 3.2%
New Jersey 9 3.2%
Georgia 8 2.8%
Other states and territories 104 37.0%

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 4 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 125 complaints. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 91 complaints.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 125 44.5%
Internet 91 32.4%
TV 49 17.4%
Radio 16 5.7%

Phone complaints

125 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 44.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 80 64.0%
Billing 18 14.4%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 8 6.4%
Equipment 5 4.0%
Availability (including rural call completion) 4 3.2%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 4 3.2%
Privacy 4 3.2%
Interference (including signal jammers) 1 0.8%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 0.8%

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 Equipment.

Internet complaints

91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 32.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 36 39.6%
Availability 12 13.2%
Billing 12 13.2%
Interference 11 12.1%
Speed 10 11.0%
Equipment 7 7.7%
Privacy 3 3.3%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Open Internet/Net Neutrality, Availability and Billing.

TV complaints

49 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 17 34.7%
Availability 13 26.5%
Loud Commercials 7 14.3%
Indecency 6 12.2%
Equipment 4 8.2%
Interference 2 4.1%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 17 December 2017.

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.