FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 March 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1194 consumer complaints on Wednesday, 7 March 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1239 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 809 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1194
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (809)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (165)
Where the complaints came from
Across 796 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1194 complaints were recorded on 7 March 2018. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 165 | 13.8% |
| Florida | 97 | 8.1% |
| Texas | 92 | 7.7% |
| New York | 66 | 5.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 56 | 4.7% |
| Ohio | 55 | 4.6% |
| Virginia | 44 | 3.7% |
| New Jersey | 40 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.2% |
| Georgia | 33 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 505 | 42.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 983 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 983 | 82.3% |
| TV | 95 | 8.0% |
| Internet | 93 | 7.8% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
983 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 809 | 82.3% |
| Billing | 74 | 7.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.5% |
| Equipment | 14 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
TV complaints
95 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 54.7% |
| Availability | 10 | 10.5% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 10.5% |
| Indecency | 6 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.2% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 34.4% |
| Speed | 21 | 22.6% |
| Availability | 14 | 15.1% |
| Equipment | 9 | 9.7% |
| Privacy | 9 | 9.7% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.4% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 3 | 3.2% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
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.