FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 February 2018
Introduction
A total of 1218 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Friday, 16 February 2018, this represented an increase from the 1193 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 800 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1218
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (800)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (139)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 16 February 2018 show 1218 complaints originating from 834 cities across 52 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 11.4% |
| Texas | 101 | 8.3% |
| Florida | 80 | 6.6% |
| New York | 61 | 5.0% |
| Ohio | 61 | 5.0% |
| Illinois | 53 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 47 | 3.9% |
| Michigan | 44 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 43 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 536 | 44.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 994 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 994 | 81.6% |
| Internet | 99 | 8.1% |
| TV | 99 | 8.1% |
| Radio | 22 | 1.8% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
994 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 800 | 80.5% |
| Billing | 69 | 6.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 28 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 25 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 0.9% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Privacy.
Internet complaints
99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 41.4% |
| Availability | 24 | 24.2% |
| Speed | 18 | 18.2% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.1% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 2.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 59 | 59.6% |
| Availability | 11 | 11.1% |
| Indecency | 10 | 10.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 9.1% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.0% |
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.