FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 August 2018
Introduction
A total of 233 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Sunday, 5 August 2018, this was lower than the 335 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 41 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 101 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 233
- States & territories reporting
- 41
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (101)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (34)
Where the complaints came from
Across 189 cities in 41 states and territories, a total of 233 complaints were recorded on 5 August 2018. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 34 | 14.6% |
| Texas | 25 | 10.7% |
| Florida | 21 | 9.0% |
| Kentucky | 15 | 6.4% |
| New York | 12 | 5.2% |
| New Jersey | 10 | 4.3% |
| Connecticut | 8 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 8 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 7 | 3.0% |
| North Carolina | 7 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 86 | 36.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 149 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 149 | 63.9% |
| TV | 41 | 17.6% |
| Internet | 33 | 14.2% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 1.7% |
| Emergency | 3 | 1.3% |
| Radio | 3 | 1.3% |
Phone complaints
149 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 63.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 101 | 67.8% |
| Billing | 18 | 12.1% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 4.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 6 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 2 | 1.3% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) among the most common.
TV complaints
41 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 16 | 39.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 26.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 17.1% |
| Availability | 3 | 7.3% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 4.9% |
Billing and Loud Commercials accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
33 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 11 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 8 | 24.2% |
| Speed | 6 | 18.2% |
| Equipment | 3 | 9.1% |
| Interference | 3 | 9.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 6.1% |
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.