FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 March 2018
Introduction
On 24 March 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 423 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1176 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 40 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 268 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 423
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (268)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (51)
Where the complaints came from
Across 315 cities in 40 states and territories, a total of 423 complaints were recorded on 24 March 2018. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 51 | 12.1% |
| Florida | 34 | 8.0% |
| Texas | 31 | 7.3% |
| New York | 26 | 6.1% |
| Georgia | 23 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 20 | 4.7% |
| North Carolina | 18 | 4.3% |
| Arizona | 14 | 3.3% |
| Kentucky | 14 | 3.3% |
| Colorado | 13 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 179 | 42.3% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 37 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 4 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 330 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 330 | 78.0% |
| Internet | 46 | 10.9% |
| TV | 37 | 8.7% |
| Radio | 10 | 2.4% |
Phone complaints
330 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 268 | 81.2% |
| Billing | 20 | 6.1% |
| Equipment | 19 | 5.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 9 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 3 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.3% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
46 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 13 | 28.3% |
| Availability | 11 | 23.9% |
| Speed | 10 | 21.7% |
| Privacy | 6 | 13.0% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 4.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 2.2% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
37 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 16 | 43.2% |
| Availability | 8 | 21.6% |
| Indecency | 5 | 13.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 10.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 5.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.7% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 1 | 2.7% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.