FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 December 2018
Introduction
A total of 1104 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, 19 December 2018, complaint volume fell from 1107 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 742 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1104
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (742)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (126)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1104 complaints were recorded on 19 December 2018, with reports originating from 740 cities in 52 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 126 | 11.4% |
| Texas | 77 | 7.0% |
| New York | 66 | 6.0% |
| Florida | 62 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 60 | 5.4% |
| New Jersey | 45 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 43 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 41 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 38 | 3.4% |
| Massachusetts | 37 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 508 | 46.0% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 896 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 896 | 81.2% |
| TV | 92 | 8.3% |
| Internet | 90 | 8.2% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.6% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
896 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 742 | 82.8% |
| Billing | 62 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 28 | 3.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 3.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 39.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 23 | 25.0% |
| Availability | 9 | 9.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 9.8% |
| Indecency | 7 | 7.6% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.2% |
Billing and Loud Commercials were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 42.2% |
| Speed | 19 | 21.1% |
| Availability | 12 | 13.3% |
| Privacy | 9 | 10.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.6% |
Billing and Speed were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less 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.