FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 February 2018
Introduction
On 13 February 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1291 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1092 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 834 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1291
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (834)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (139)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1291 complaints were recorded on 13 February 2018, with reports originating from 848 cities in 52 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 139 | 10.8% |
| Texas | 115 | 8.9% |
| Florida | 100 | 7.7% |
| New York | 76 | 5.9% |
| Ohio | 61 | 4.7% |
| Missouri | 49 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 39 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 578 | 44.8% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1013 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1013 | 78.5% |
| TV | 153 | 11.9% |
| Internet | 107 | 8.3% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1013 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 834 | 82.3% |
| Billing | 80 | 7.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 2.1% |
| Equipment | 19 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 17 | 1.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided 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.
TV complaints
153 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 74 | 48.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 27 | 17.6% |
| Availability | 24 | 15.7% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.2% |
| Indecency | 9 | 5.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 35.5% |
| Availability | 21 | 19.6% |
| Speed | 18 | 16.8% |
| Privacy | 14 | 13.1% |
| Interference | 9 | 8.4% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.9% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
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.