FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 September 2018
Introduction
On 29 September 2018, 401 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1317 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 47 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 225 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 401
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (225)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (52)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 401 complaints were recorded on 29 September 2018, with reports originating from 321 cities in 47 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 52 | 13.0% |
| Florida | 38 | 9.5% |
| Texas | 37 | 9.2% |
| New Jersey | 20 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 18 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 17 | 4.2% |
| New York | 17 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 15 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 14 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 13 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 160 | 39.9% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 288 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 288 | 71.8% |
| Internet | 52 | 13.0% |
| TV | 51 | 12.7% |
| Radio | 9 | 2.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
288 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 225 | 78.1% |
| Billing | 28 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 14 | 4.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 10 | 3.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.3% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
52 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 15 | 28.8% |
| Speed | 11 | 21.2% |
| Availability | 9 | 17.3% |
| Privacy | 7 | 13.5% |
| Equipment | 6 | 11.5% |
| Interference | 4 | 7.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
51 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 51.0% |
| Indecency | 11 | 21.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 11.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 7.8% |
| Availability | 3 | 5.9% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.0% |
Billing and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.