FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 September 2018
Introduction
On 4 September 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1169 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 426 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 711 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1169
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (711)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (142)
Where the complaints came from
The 1169 complaints recorded on 4 September 2018 originated from 788 cities across 51 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 142 | 12.1% |
| Texas | 95 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 85 | 7.3% |
| New York | 81 | 6.9% |
| Illinois | 58 | 5.0% |
| Ohio | 53 | 4.5% |
| New Jersey | 44 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 41 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 39 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 483 | 41.3% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 99 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 896 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 896 | 76.6% |
| TV | 137 | 11.7% |
| Internet | 115 | 9.8% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
896 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 711 | 79.4% |
| Billing | 90 | 10.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 38 | 4.2% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.2% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
137 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 58 | 42.3% |
| Billing | 40 | 29.2% |
| Equipment | 14 | 10.2% |
| Indecency | 8 | 5.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 7 | 5.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.5% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
115 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 39 | 33.9% |
| Billing | 28 | 24.3% |
| Speed | 21 | 18.3% |
| Interference | 13 | 11.3% |
| Equipment | 10 | 8.7% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.5% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Speed.
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.