FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 October 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1033 consumer complaints on 1 October 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 288 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 648 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1033
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (648)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (117)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1033 complaints were recorded on 1 October 2018, with reports originating from 707 cities in 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Arkansas, where Fayetteville accounted for 19 of the 31 complaints recorded.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 117 | 11.3% |
| Texas | 100 | 9.7% |
| Florida | 80 | 7.7% |
| New York | 50 | 4.8% |
| Ohio | 49 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 39 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 38 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 37 | 3.6% |
| Washington | 33 | 3.2% |
| Arkansas | 31 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 456 | 44.1% |
Location highlight
Fayetteville accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Arkansas.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 813 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 813 | 78.7% |
| Internet | 113 | 10.9% |
| TV | 93 | 9.0% |
| Radio | 10 | 1.0% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
813 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 648 | 79.7% |
| Billing | 69 | 8.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 39 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 26 | 3.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
113 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 33 | 29.2% |
| Billing | 32 | 28.3% |
| Speed | 19 | 16.8% |
| Interference | 12 | 10.6% |
| Privacy | 10 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.2% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Billing and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 40.9% |
| Availability | 22 | 23.7% |
| Equipment | 13 | 14.0% |
| Indecency | 10 | 10.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 7.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.2% |
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.