FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 April 2018

Introduction

A total of 392 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Saturday, 21 April 2018, complaint volume fell from 1218 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 234 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
392
States & territories reporting
50
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (234)
Most reported state/territory
California (53)

Where the complaints came from

On 21 April 2018, the 392 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 318 cities across 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.

The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.

State/Territory Complaints
California 53 13.5%
Florida 35 8.9%
Texas 35 8.9%
New York 25 6.4%
North Carolina 16 4.1%
Maryland 15 3.8%
Illinois 13 3.3%
New Jersey 13 3.3%
Pennsylvania 12 3.1%
Virginia 12 3.1%
Other states and territories 163 41.6%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 296 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 296 75.5%
TV 45 11.5%
Internet 43 11.0%
Radio 6 1.5%
Emergency 2 0.5%

Phone complaints

296 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 234 79.1%
Billing 26 8.8%
Privacy 12 4.1%
Availability (including rural call completion) 8 2.7%
Equipment 8 2.7%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 2 0.7%
Interference (including signal jammers) 2 0.7%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 2 0.7%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 2 0.7%

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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Privacy and Availability (including rural call completion).

TV complaints

45 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 18 40.0%
Availability 9 20.0%
Equipment 7 15.6%
Loud Commercials 6 13.3%
Indecency 3 6.7%
Interference 2 4.4%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Internet complaints

43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 14 32.6%
Availability 9 20.9%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 6 14.0%
Speed 6 14.0%
Privacy 5 11.6%
Equipment 2 4.7%
Interference 1 2.3%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Open Internet/Net Neutrality.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 21 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.