FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 December 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1191 consumer complaints on 11 December 2018 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1104 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 808 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1191
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (808)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (130)
Where the complaints came from
Across 797 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1191 complaints were recorded on 11 December 2018. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Iowa, where Iowa City accounted for 36 of the 47 complaints recorded in the state.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 130 | 10.9% |
| Texas | 85 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 82 | 6.9% |
| New York | 52 | 4.4% |
| Iowa | 47 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 45 | 3.8% |
| Washington | 44 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.3% |
| New Jersey | 37 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 574 | 48.2% |
Location highlights
- Iowa City accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Iowa.
- Complaints in California were reported across 90 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 974 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 974 | 81.8% |
| Internet | 107 | 9.0% |
| TV | 97 | 8.1% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
974 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 808 | 83.0% |
| Billing | 65 | 6.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 19 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 9 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.3% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 42.1% |
| Availability | 28 | 26.2% |
| Speed | 16 | 15.0% |
| Interference | 9 | 8.4% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.6% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 58.8% |
| Availability | 16 | 16.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 7 | 7.2% |
| Indecency | 5 | 5.2% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.