FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 February 2018
Introduction
On Thursday, 15 February 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1193 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1128 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 858 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1193
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (858)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (168)
Where the complaints came from
On 15 February 2018, the 1193 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 788 cities across 50 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 168 | 14.1% |
| Florida | 86 | 7.2% |
| Texas | 80 | 6.7% |
| New York | 67 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 55 | 4.6% |
| Ohio | 48 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 41 | 3.4% |
| Arizona | 37 | 3.1% |
| Tennessee | 36 | 3.0% |
| Virginia | 36 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 539 | 45.2% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1004 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1004 | 84.2% |
| TV | 99 | 8.3% |
| Internet | 74 | 6.2% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1004 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 84.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 858 | 85.5% |
| Billing | 50 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 29 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 17 | 1.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 14 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Privacy.
TV complaints
99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 49.5% |
| Availability | 15 | 15.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 11.1% |
| Indecency | 9 | 9.1% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.1% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
74 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 43.2% |
| Availability | 14 | 18.9% |
| Interference | 9 | 12.2% |
| Speed | 9 | 12.2% |
| Privacy | 7 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.