FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 November 2018

Introduction

A total of 349 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Sunday, 4 November 2018, this represented a decline from the 529 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 46 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 192 complaints recorded.

Key statistics

Total complaints
349
States & territories reporting
46
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (192)
Most reported state/territory
California (33)

Where the complaints came from

On 4 November 2018, the 349 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 267 cities across 46 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. 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 33 9.5%
Texas 21 6.0%
Florida 20 5.7%
Illinois 18 5.2%
New York 18 5.2%
Tennessee 18 5.2%
Washington 18 5.2%
New Jersey 14 4.0%
Wisconsin 14 4.0%
Pennsylvania 13 3.7%
Other states and territories 162 46.4%

What the complaints were about

A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 250 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 250 71.6%
TV 52 14.9%
Internet 40 11.5%
Radio 5 1.4%
Accessibility 2 0.6%

Phone complaints

250 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 192 76.8%
Billing 24 9.6%
Equipment 10 4.0%
Interference (including signal jammers) 7 2.8%
Privacy 7 2.8%
Availability (including rural call completion) 4 1.6%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 3 1.2%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 3 1.2%

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 Interference (including signal jammers) among the most common.

TV complaints

52 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 18 34.6%
Availability 8 15.4%
Equipment 7 13.5%
Indecency 7 13.5%
Loud Commercials 7 13.5%
Interference 4 7.7%
Privacy 1 1.9%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Equipment among the most common.

Internet complaints

40 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 12 30.0%
Speed 8 20.0%
Availability 7 17.5%
Interference 6 15.0%
Privacy 6 15.0%
Equipment 1 2.5%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Speed and Availability among the most common.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 4 November 2018.

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.