FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 January 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1082 consumer complaints on Friday, 19 January 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1239 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 695 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1082
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (695)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (113)
Where the complaints came from
Across 741 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 1082 complaints were recorded on 19 January 2018. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Oregon, where Roseburg accounted for 23 of the 37 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 113 | 10.4% |
| Florida | 83 | 7.7% |
| Texas | 73 | 6.7% |
| New York | 63 | 5.8% |
| Illinois | 55 | 5.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 4.7% |
| Ohio | 46 | 4.3% |
| Oregon | 37 | 3.4% |
| Washington | 37 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 31 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 489 | 45.2% |
Location highlight
A large share of complaints in Oregon originated from Roseburg, which accounted for most reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 851 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 851 | 78.7% |
| TV | 114 | 10.5% |
| Internet | 89 | 8.2% |
| Radio | 25 | 2.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
851 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 695 | 81.7% |
| Billing | 55 | 6.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 28 | 3.3% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Interference (including signal jammers) and Equipment.
TV complaints
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 49.1% |
| Availability | 17 | 14.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 13.2% |
| Equipment | 12 | 10.5% |
| Indecency | 10 | 8.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 25 | 28.1% |
| Billing | 21 | 23.6% |
| Speed | 20 | 22.5% |
| Interference | 9 | 10.1% |
| Privacy | 6 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.5% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 4.5% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing 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.