FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 April 2018

Introduction

A total of 475 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Saturday, 14 April 2018, this was lower than the 1184 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 42 states and territories, with Illinois slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 229 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
475
States & territories reporting
42
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (229)
Most reported state/territory
Illinois (76)

Where the complaints came from

Across 304 cities in 42 states and territories, a total of 475 complaints were recorded on 14 April 2018. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Illinois, where Orland park accounted for 59 of the 76 complaints 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 76 16.0%
California 68 14.3%
Texas 37 7.8%
Florida 28 5.9%
Indiana 25 5.3%
Michigan 20 4.2%
Nevada 15 3.2%
Ohio 15 3.2%
Washington 15 3.2%
Tennessee 14 2.9%
Other states and territories 162 34.1%

Location highlight

Orland park accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Illinois.

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 287 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 287 60.4%
Radio 74 15.6%
Internet 56 11.8%
TV 56 11.8%
Request for Dispute Assistance 2 0.4%

Phone complaints

287 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 60.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 229 79.8%
Billing 21 7.3%
Equipment 11 3.8%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 7 2.4%
Privacy 6 2.1%
Availability (including rural call completion) 4 1.4%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 4 1.4%
Interference (including signal jammers) 4 1.4%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).

Radio complaints

74 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Indecency 69 93.2%
Interference 3 4.1%
Equipment 1 1.4%
Pirate Radio 1 1.4%

Indecency and Interference accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Internet complaints

56 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 19 33.9%
Speed 12 21.4%
Availability 8 14.3%
Equipment 6 10.7%
Interference 5 8.9%
Privacy 5 8.9%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.8%

The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.

TV complaints

56 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 28 50.0%
Availability 9 16.1%
Equipment 5 8.9%
Indecency 5 8.9%
Loud Commercials 5 8.9%
Privacy 3 5.4%
Interference 1 1.8%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 14 April 2018.

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.