FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 October 2018
Introduction
On Sunday, 14 October 2018, 288 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 458 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 44 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 158 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 288
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (158)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (30)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 14 October 2018 show 288 complaints originating from 237 cities across 44 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 30 | 10.4% |
| Florida | 24 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 22 | 7.6% |
| Kentucky | 18 | 6.3% |
| Georgia | 15 | 5.2% |
| Illinois | 12 | 4.2% |
| New York | 12 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 12 | 4.2% |
| New Jersey | 11 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 10 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 122 | 42.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 4 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 198 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 198 | 68.8% |
| TV | 46 | 16.0% |
| Internet | 38 | 13.2% |
| Radio | 6 | 2.1% |
Phone complaints
198 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 158 | 79.8% |
| Billing | 17 | 8.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 4 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 1.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 1 | 0.5% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Privacy.
TV complaints
46 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 18 | 39.1% |
| Indecency | 10 | 21.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 19.6% |
| Availability | 5 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.2% |
Billing and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
38 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 13 | 34.2% |
| Availability | 11 | 28.9% |
| Billing | 7 | 18.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 13.2% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.6% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.6% |
Speed and Availability 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.