FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 January 2018
Introduction
On Monday, 29 January 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1068 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 386 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 53 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 612 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1068
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (612)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (120)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1068 complaints were recorded on 29 January 2018, with reports originating from 715 cities in 53 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 120 | 11.2% |
| Florida | 93 | 8.7% |
| Texas | 91 | 8.5% |
| New York | 75 | 7.0% |
| New Jersey | 40 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 38 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 34 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 34 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 461 | 43.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 793 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 793 | 74.3% |
| TV | 134 | 12.5% |
| Internet | 116 | 10.9% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
793 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 612 | 77.2% |
| Billing | 78 | 9.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 17 | 2.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 15 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 4 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
134 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 62 | 46.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 25 | 18.7% |
| Availability | 21 | 15.7% |
| Indecency | 11 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
116 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 37.1% |
| Availability | 25 | 21.6% |
| Speed | 20 | 17.2% |
| Equipment | 10 | 8.6% |
| Interference | 9 | 7.8% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.4% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several 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.