FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 March 2018
Introduction
On Saturday, 31 March 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 506 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 896 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 47 states and territories, and Illinois generated the highest number of submissions with 115 complaints. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 506
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (216)
- Most reported state/territory
- Illinois (115)
Where the complaints came from
The 506 complaints recorded on 31 March 2018 originated from 286 cities across 47 states and territories. Complaint activity was somewhat more concentrated than usual, with Illinois accounting for the largest share of reports. Much of the complaint activity in Illinois was focused in Orland park, where 104 of the 115 reports were recorded.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 115 | 22.7% |
| California | 49 | 9.7% |
| Florida | 34 | 6.7% |
| Texas | 30 | 5.9% |
| Missouri | 25 | 4.9% |
| Maine | 21 | 4.2% |
| New York | 21 | 4.2% |
| Colorado | 15 | 3.0% |
| Arizona | 13 | 2.6% |
| North Carolina | 13 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 170 | 33.6% |
Location highlights
- Complaint activity in Illinois was almost entirely concentrated in Orland park.
- California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 34 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 270 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 270 | 53.4% |
| Radio | 109 | 21.5% |
| TV | 77 | 15.2% |
| Internet | 48 | 9.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
270 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 53.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 216 | 80.0% |
| Billing | 21 | 7.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 10 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 10 | 3.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 1.9% |
| Equipment | 3 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.4% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Privacy among the most common.
Radio complaints
109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 104 | 95.4% |
| Availability | 1 | 0.9% |
| Billing | 1 | 0.9% |
| Equipment | 1 | 0.9% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.9% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 0.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Indecency and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Loud Commercials | 27 | 35.1% |
| Billing | 21 | 27.3% |
| Availability | 11 | 14.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 10.4% |
| Indecency | 6 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Loud Commercials and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
48 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 14 | 29.2% |
| Availability | 11 | 22.9% |
| Speed | 7 | 14.6% |
| Interference | 6 | 12.5% |
| Privacy | 5 | 10.4% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 2 | 4.2% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most 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.