FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 March 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 280 consumer complaints on Sunday, 18 March 2018 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 378 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 47 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 97 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 280
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (97)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (29)
Where the complaints came from
The 280 complaints recorded on 18 March 2018 were submitted from 221 cities across 47 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 29 | 10.4% |
| Florida | 23 | 8.2% |
| Texas | 21 | 7.5% |
| Illinois | 17 | 6.1% |
| New York | 17 | 6.1% |
| Tennessee | 14 | 5.0% |
| Virginia | 11 | 3.9% |
| Michigan | 10 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 9 | 3.2% |
| Ohio | 9 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 120 | 42.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 153 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 153 | 54.6% |
| Internet | 52 | 18.6% |
| TV | 50 | 17.9% |
| Radio | 18 | 6.4% |
| Emergency | 5 | 1.8% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
153 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 54.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 97 | 63.4% |
| Billing | 23 | 15.0% |
| Equipment | 14 | 9.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 4.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 3.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 2.0% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.3% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
52 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 15 | 28.8% |
| Availability | 11 | 21.2% |
| Billing | 7 | 13.5% |
| Equipment | 5 | 9.6% |
| Interference | 5 | 9.6% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 5 | 9.6% |
| Privacy | 4 | 7.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Speed, Availability and Billing.
TV complaints
50 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 18 | 36.0% |
| Indecency | 9 | 18.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 16.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 12.0% |
| Availability | 5 | 10.0% |
| Interference | 2 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 4.0% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Indecency and Loud Commercials.
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.