FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 January 2018
Introduction
A total of 1172 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, 4 January 2018, this was lower than the 1173 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 625 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1172
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (625)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (145)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 4 January 2018 show 1172 complaints originating from 792 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 145 | 12.4% |
| New York | 131 | 11.2% |
| Florida | 104 | 8.9% |
| Texas | 73 | 6.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 54 | 4.6% |
| Illinois | 47 | 4.0% |
| Georgia | 43 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 43 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 36 | 3.1% |
| New Jersey | 35 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 461 | 39.3% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 806 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 806 | 68.8% |
| Internet | 192 | 16.4% |
| TV | 155 | 13.2% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
806 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 625 | 77.5% |
| Billing | 67 | 8.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 33 | 4.1% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 4 | 0.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 0.4% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section 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
192 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | 72 | 37.5% |
| Billing | 39 | 20.3% |
| Availability | 32 | 16.7% |
| Speed | 26 | 13.5% |
| Privacy | 13 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 2.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 2.6% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Equipment, Billing and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
155 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 74 | 47.7% |
| Availability | 33 | 21.3% |
| Indecency | 19 | 12.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 9 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.6% |
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.