FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 February 2018

Introduction

A total of 505 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 3 February 2018, this represented a decline from the 1104 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 48 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 255 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
505
States & territories reporting
48
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (255)
Most reported state/territory
California (48)

Where the complaints came from

The 505 complaints recorded on 3 February 2018 were submitted from 361 cities across 48 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. 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 48 9.5%
New York 31 6.1%
Florida 30 5.9%
Missouri 27 5.3%
Texas 25 5.0%
Connecticut 23 4.6%
Pennsylvania 22 4.4%
Ohio 21 4.2%
North Carolina 19 3.8%
Oregon 17 3.4%
Other states and territories 242 47.9%

What the complaints were about

A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 348 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 348 68.9%
TV 76 15.0%
Internet 68 13.5%
Radio 11 2.2%
Accessibility 1 0.2%
Emergency 1 0.2%

Phone complaints

348 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 255 73.3%
Billing 52 14.9%
Availability (including rural call completion) 11 3.2%
Privacy 9 2.6%
Equipment 8 2.3%
Interference (including signal jammers) 5 1.4%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 3 0.9%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 2 0.6%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 2 0.6%
Junk Faxes 1 0.3%

As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Privacy among the most common.

TV complaints

76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Loud Commercials 23 30.3%
Billing 21 27.6%
Indecency 18 23.7%
Availability 11 14.5%
Equipment 1 1.3%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.3%
Privacy 1 1.3%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Loud Commercials, Billing and Indecency among the most common.

Internet complaints

68 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 20 29.4%
Availability 14 20.6%
Speed 14 20.6%
Equipment 11 16.2%
Interference 4 5.9%
Privacy 4 5.9%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.5%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 3 February 2018.

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.