FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 November 2018

Introduction

A total of 998 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 21 November 2018, this represented a decline from the 1198 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 684 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
998
States & territories reporting
49
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (684)
Most reported state/territory
California (100)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 998 complaints were recorded on 21 November 2018, with reports originating from 673 cities in 49 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Kentucky, where Eubank accounted for 21 of the 32 complaints recorded in the state.

The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.

State/Territory Complaints
California 100 10.0%
Florida 82 8.2%
Texas 77 7.7%
New York 56 5.6%
Illinois 42 4.2%
Virginia 40 4.0%
North Carolina 37 3.7%
Pennsylvania 34 3.4%
Michigan 33 3.3%
Ohio 33 3.3%
Other states and territories 461 46.2%

Location highlight

A large share of complaints in Kentucky originated from Eubank, which accounted for most reports within the state.

What the complaints were about

A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 823 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 823 82.5%
Internet 83 8.3%
TV 81 8.1%
Radio 8 0.8%
Emergency 3 0.3%

Phone complaints

823 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 684 83.1%
Billing 61 7.4%
Equipment 26 3.2%
Availability (including rural call completion) 18 2.2%
Privacy 10 1.2%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 8 1.0%
Interference (including signal jammers) 7 0.9%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 3 0.4%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 3 0.4%
Junk Faxes 2 0.2%

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 Availability (including rural call completion).

Internet complaints

83 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 29 34.9%
Availability 19 22.9%
Speed 15 18.1%
Interference 9 10.8%
Equipment 8 9.6%
Privacy 3 3.6%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.

TV complaints

81 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 38 46.9%
Availability 11 13.6%
Equipment 8 9.9%
Indecency 7 8.6%
Loud Commercials 7 8.6%
Interference 5 6.2%
Privacy 5 6.2%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 21 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.