FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 February 2018
Introduction
On Wednesday, 21 February 2018, 1436 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1222 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 922 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1436
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (922)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (195)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1436 complaints were recorded on 21 February 2018, with reports originating from 920 cities in 53 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 195 | 13.6% |
| Florida | 116 | 8.1% |
| Texas | 104 | 7.2% |
| New York | 79 | 5.5% |
| Ohio | 65 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 59 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 56 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 2.9% |
| Minnesota | 39 | 2.7% |
| North Carolina | 39 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 638 | 44.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1169 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1169 | 81.4% |
| TV | 124 | 8.6% |
| Internet | 120 | 8.4% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1169 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 922 | 78.9% |
| Billing | 106 | 9.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 34 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 28 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 21 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Junk Faxes and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
124 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 65 | 52.4% |
| Availability | 18 | 14.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 10.5% |
| Equipment | 12 | 9.7% |
| Indecency | 12 | 9.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.6% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
120 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 37.5% |
| Availability | 28 | 23.3% |
| Speed | 19 | 15.8% |
| Interference | 15 | 12.5% |
| Privacy | 8 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 0.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less 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.