FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 October 2018
Introduction
A total of 320 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Sunday, 28 October 2018, complaint volume fell from 497 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 42 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 124 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 320
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (124)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (60)
Where the complaints came from
Across 218 cities in 42 states and territories, a total of 320 complaints were recorded on 28 October 2018. Complaints were less evenly distributed than usual, with California accounting for the highest proportion of reports. While complaints were reported across multiple cities, no individual location accounted for a significant 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 | 60 | 18.8% |
| Texas | 34 | 10.6% |
| Florida | 20 | 6.3% |
| Ohio | 20 | 6.3% |
| Arizona | 19 | 5.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 19 | 5.9% |
| Maryland | 12 | 3.8% |
| New York | 12 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 11 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 10 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 103 | 32.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 196 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 196 | 61.3% |
| Internet | 65 | 20.3% |
| TV | 47 | 14.7% |
| Radio | 9 | 2.8% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.9% |
Phone complaints
196 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 61.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 124 | 63.3% |
| Billing | 23 | 11.7% |
| Privacy | 19 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 10 | 5.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 3.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 2.0% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.5% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Privacy and Equipment.
Internet complaints
65 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 26 | 40.0% |
| Billing | 11 | 16.9% |
| Availability | 10 | 15.4% |
| Interference | 8 | 12.3% |
| Speed | 8 | 12.3% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.1% |
Privacy was the most commonly reported issue in this category, while other issues occurred less frequently.
TV complaints
47 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 16 | 34.0% |
| Availability | 15 | 31.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 19.1% |
| Equipment | 5 | 10.6% |
| Indecency | 1 | 2.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.1% |
Billing 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.