FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 December 2017
Introduction
A total of 218 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Sunday, 31 December 2017, this was lower than the 358 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 45 states and territories, without one location accounting for a clearly higher number of reports. Complaints relating to Billing were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 218
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Billing (54)
Where the complaints came from
The 218 complaints recorded on 31 December 2017 were submitted from 178 cities across 45 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 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 | 19 | 8.7% |
| Florida | 19 | 8.7% |
| Illinois | 19 | 8.7% |
| Texas | 12 | 5.5% |
| Missouri | 10 | 4.6% |
| New York | 9 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 9 | 4.1% |
| New Jersey | 8 | 3.7% |
| Massachusetts | 7 | 3.2% |
| Michigan | 7 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 99 | 45.4% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Florida were reported across 17 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 92 complaints. This was followed by TV, which accounted for 65 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 92 | 42.2% |
| TV | 65 | 29.8% |
| Internet | 46 | 21.1% |
| Radio | 12 | 5.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 1.4% |
Phone complaints
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 42.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 38 | 41.3% |
| Billing | 24 | 26.1% |
| Privacy | 8 | 8.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 7.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 4.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 3.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 1.1% |
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, Privacy and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
65 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 29.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Loud Commercials | 34 | 52.3% |
| Billing | 15 | 23.1% |
| Availability | 8 | 12.3% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.6% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.1% |
| Indecency | 2 | 3.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 1.5% |
Loud Commercials and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
46 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 15 | 32.6% |
| Availability | 9 | 19.6% |
| Privacy | 8 | 17.4% |
| Interference | 6 | 13.0% |
| Speed | 5 | 10.9% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.2% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Privacy.
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.