FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 December 2017
Introduction
On Friday, 29 December 2017, 826 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 952 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 437 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 826
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (437)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (88)
Where the complaints came from
The 826 complaints recorded on 29 December 2017 were submitted from 599 cities across 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 88 | 10.7% |
| Florida | 63 | 7.6% |
| Texas | 45 | 5.4% |
| Illinois | 40 | 4.8% |
| New York | 34 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 32 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 32 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 29 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 29 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 28 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 406 | 49.2% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 67 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 4 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 605 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 605 | 73.2% |
| Internet | 104 | 12.6% |
| TV | 103 | 12.5% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.7% |
Phone complaints
605 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 437 | 72.2% |
| Billing | 76 | 12.6% |
| Equipment | 27 | 4.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 17 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 16 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 5 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.2% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
104 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 33.7% |
| Speed | 23 | 22.1% |
| Availability | 20 | 19.2% |
| Interference | 9 | 8.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 6 | 5.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 3.8% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 49.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 17 | 16.5% |
| Availability | 11 | 10.7% |
| Indecency | 10 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.9% |
Billing and Loud Commercials 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.