FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 August 2018

Introduction

On 4 August 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 335 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1196 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 45 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 169 complaints recorded.

Key statistics

Total complaints
335
States & territories reporting
45
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (169)
Most reported state/territory
California (41)

Where the complaints came from

The 335 complaints recorded on 4 August 2018 originated from 266 cities across 45 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 41 12.2%
Texas 37 11.0%
New York 18 5.4%
New Jersey 17 5.1%
Florida 16 4.8%
Minnesota 13 3.9%
Arizona 12 3.6%
Ohio 12 3.6%
Virginia 12 3.6%
Georgia 10 3.0%
Other states and territories 147 43.9%

Location highlight

California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 33 different cities.

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 227 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 227 67.8%
Internet 52 15.5%
TV 48 14.3%
Radio 4 1.2%
Accessibility 2 0.6%
Emergency 2 0.6%

Phone complaints

227 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 169 74.4%
Billing 21 9.3%
Availability (including rural call completion) 11 4.8%
Equipment 10 4.4%
Privacy 10 4.4%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 3 1.3%
Interference (including signal jammers) 2 0.9%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 1 0.4%

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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.

Internet complaints

52 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Speed 12 23.1%
Billing 11 21.2%
Interference 8 15.4%
Privacy 8 15.4%
Equipment 7 13.5%
Availability 6 11.5%

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

TV complaints

48 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 19 39.6%
Loud Commercials 9 18.8%
Availability 8 16.7%
Equipment 6 12.5%
Interference 4 8.3%
Indecency 2 4.2%

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

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 4 August 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.