FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 November 2018
Introduction
On Saturday, 3 November 2018, 529 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1249 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 47 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 329 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 529
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (329)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (59)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 3 November 2018 show 529 complaints originating from 393 cities across 47 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 59 | 11.2% |
| Florida | 42 | 7.9% |
| Texas | 31 | 5.9% |
| New York | 30 | 5.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 30 | 5.7% |
| North Carolina | 28 | 5.3% |
| Ohio | 19 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 18 | 3.4% |
| Washington | 17 | 3.2% |
| Illinois | 16 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 239 | 45.2% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 402 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 402 | 76.0% |
| Internet | 62 | 11.7% |
| TV | 48 | 9.1% |
| Radio | 16 | 3.0% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
402 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 329 | 81.8% |
| Billing | 24 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 12 | 3.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 10 | 2.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 8 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
62 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 38.7% |
| Availability | 21 | 33.9% |
| Speed | 8 | 12.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
48 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 19 | 39.6% |
| Indecency | 9 | 18.8% |
| Availability | 8 | 16.7% |
| Equipment | 6 | 12.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Indecency and Availability among the most common.
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.