FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 May 2018
Introduction
A total of 265 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Sunday, 20 May 2018, complaint volume fell from 443 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 42 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 130 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 265
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (130)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (31)
Where the complaints came from
The 265 complaints recorded on 20 May 2018 were submitted from 207 cities across 42 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 31 | 11.7% |
| New York | 22 | 8.3% |
| Florida | 21 | 7.9% |
| Arizona | 18 | 6.8% |
| Massachusetts | 12 | 4.5% |
| Maryland | 11 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 9 | 3.4% |
| Tennessee | 9 | 3.4% |
| Texas | 9 | 3.4% |
| Wisconsin | 8 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 115 | 43.4% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 29 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 170 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 170 | 64.2% |
| TV | 46 | 17.4% |
| Internet | 38 | 14.3% |
| Radio | 5 | 1.9% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.8% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
170 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 130 | 76.5% |
| Billing | 15 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 5 | 2.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 2.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.8% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
46 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 11 | 23.9% |
| Billing | 10 | 21.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 21.7% |
| Equipment | 8 | 17.4% |
| Indecency | 3 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.2% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing and Loud Commercials.
Internet complaints
38 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 14 | 36.8% |
| Availability | 11 | 28.9% |
| Equipment | 4 | 10.5% |
| Privacy | 4 | 10.5% |
| Speed | 3 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 5.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.