FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 January 2018
Introduction
On 2 January 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 874 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 183 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 48 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 406 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 874
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (406)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (74)
Where the complaints came from
Across 626 cities in 48 states and territories, a total of 874 complaints were recorded on 2 January 2018. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. 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 | 74 | 8.5% |
| Florida | 62 | 7.1% |
| New York | 62 | 7.1% |
| Texas | 62 | 7.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 47 | 5.4% |
| Illinois | 42 | 4.8% |
| Ohio | 34 | 3.9% |
| Virginia | 34 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 31 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 30 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 389 | 44.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 553 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 553 | 63.3% |
| TV | 159 | 18.2% |
| Internet | 140 | 16.0% |
| Radio | 20 | 2.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
553 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 63.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 406 | 73.4% |
| Billing | 68 | 12.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 4.2% |
| Equipment | 21 | 3.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.2% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
159 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 33.3% |
| Indecency | 31 | 19.5% |
| Availability | 25 | 15.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 24 | 15.1% |
| Equipment | 15 | 9.4% |
| Interference | 10 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.6% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Indecency and Availability.
Internet complaints
140 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 32.9% |
| Availability | 29 | 20.7% |
| Speed | 24 | 17.1% |
| Equipment | 16 | 11.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 11 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 9 | 6.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.6% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
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.