FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 December 2017

Introduction

A total of 572 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 26 December 2017, this was higher than the 91 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with Texas recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 264 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
572
States & territories reporting
50
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (264)
Most reported state/territory
Texas (53)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 572 complaints were recorded on 26 December 2017, with reports originating from 432 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable 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
Texas 53 9.3%
California 50 8.7%
New York 47 8.2%
Florida 38 6.6%
Colorado 28 4.9%
Illinois 24 4.2%
Maryland 24 4.2%
Pennsylvania 22 3.8%
Virginia 17 3.0%
Georgia 16 2.8%
Other states and territories 250 43.7%

What the complaints were about

A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 390 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 390 68.2%
Internet 96 16.8%
TV 75 13.1%
Radio 8 1.4%
Emergency 2 0.3%
Accessibility 1 0.2%

Phone complaints

390 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 264 67.7%
Billing 54 13.8%
Equipment 25 6.4%
Availability (including rural call completion) 17 4.4%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 14 3.6%
Privacy 6 1.5%
Interference (including signal jammers) 4 1.0%
Junk Faxes 3 0.8%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 2 0.5%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 1 0.3%

Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).

Internet complaints

96 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 25 26.0%
Billing 24 25.0%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 17 17.7%
Speed 12 12.5%
Privacy 8 8.3%
Equipment 7 7.3%
Interference 3 3.1%

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

TV complaints

75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 30 40.0%
Availability 18 24.0%
Loud Commercials 11 14.7%
Indecency 5 6.7%
Interference 4 5.3%
Equipment 3 4.0%
Privacy 3 4.0%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.3%

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 26 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.