FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 December 2018
Introduction
On 26 December 2018, 552 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 137 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
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
- 552
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (256)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (63)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 26 December 2018 show 552 complaints originating from 429 cities across 49 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 63 | 11.4% |
| Texas | 48 | 8.7% |
| Florida | 44 | 8.0% |
| New York | 39 | 7.1% |
| New Jersey | 24 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 24 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 20 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 19 | 3.4% |
| Arizona | 17 | 3.1% |
| Colorado | 17 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 235 | 42.6% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 47 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 389 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 389 | 70.5% |
| TV | 80 | 14.5% |
| Internet | 74 | 13.4% |
| Radio | 5 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
389 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 256 | 65.8% |
| Billing | 64 | 16.5% |
| Equipment | 22 | 5.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 16 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 11 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.3% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
80 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 55.0% |
| Availability | 14 | 17.5% |
| Indecency | 9 | 11.3% |
| Equipment | 7 | 8.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.5% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
74 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 32.4% |
| Availability | 20 | 27.0% |
| Speed | 14 | 18.9% |
| Privacy | 7 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 6 | 8.1% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.1% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
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.