FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 December 2017
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 940 consumer complaints on 18 December 2017 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 281 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 54 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 525 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 940
- States & territories reporting
- 54
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (525)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (93)
Where the complaints came from
Across 682 cities in 54 states and territories, a total of 940 complaints were recorded on 18 December 2017. 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 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 | 93 | 9.9% |
| New York | 58 | 6.2% |
| Florida | 57 | 6.1% |
| Texas | 51 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 48 | 5.1% |
| Ohio | 41 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 36 | 3.8% |
| New Jersey | 33 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 32 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 31 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 454 | 48.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 696 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 696 | 74.0% |
| Internet | 122 | 13.0% |
| TV | 104 | 11.1% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
696 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 525 | 75.4% |
| Billing | 83 | 11.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 3.6% |
| Equipment | 18 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 14 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.6% |
| 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
122 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 29.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 24 | 19.7% |
| Speed | 22 | 18.0% |
| Availability | 17 | 13.9% |
| Interference | 10 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 9 | 7.4% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.3% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Open Internet/Net Neutrality and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
104 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 45.2% |
| Availability | 17 | 16.3% |
| Equipment | 13 | 12.5% |
| Indecency | 12 | 11.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 9.6% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.