FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 December 2018
Introduction
A total of 387 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 22 December 2018, this represented a decline from the 904 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 45 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 219 complaints.
This date falls within a government shutdown period from 22 December 2018 to 25 January 2019. Complaint volumes during this period may be lower than usual.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 387
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (219)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (46)
Where the complaints came from
Across 310 cities in 45 states and territories, a total of 387 complaints were recorded on 22 December 2018. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 46 | 11.9% |
| Florida | 25 | 6.5% |
| New York | 24 | 6.2% |
| Texas | 22 | 5.7% |
| Georgia | 20 | 5.2% |
| Illinois | 19 | 4.9% |
| Ohio | 18 | 4.7% |
| North Carolina | 17 | 4.4% |
| New Jersey | 16 | 4.1% |
| Massachusetts | 13 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 167 | 43.2% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 37 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 276 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 276 | 71.3% |
| Internet | 54 | 14.0% |
| TV | 48 | 12.4% |
| Radio | 5 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
276 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 219 | 79.3% |
| Billing | 22 | 8.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 3.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 9 | 3.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.7% |
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, Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
54 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 37.0% |
| Availability | 12 | 22.2% |
| Speed | 10 | 18.5% |
| Interference | 6 | 11.1% |
| Privacy | 4 | 7.4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.7% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
48 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 50.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 22.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 10.4% |
| Availability | 3 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6.3% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.2% |
Billing and Loud Commercials accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.