FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 December 2018
Introduction
On 27 December 2018, 891 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 552 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 47 states and territories, with Florida slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 474 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
- 891
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (474)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (119)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 27 December 2018 show 891 complaints originating from 630 cities across 47 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 119 | 13.4% |
| California | 104 | 11.7% |
| Texas | 65 | 7.3% |
| New Jersey | 49 | 5.5% |
| New York | 42 | 4.7% |
| Illinois | 35 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 33 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 29 | 3.3% |
| Colorado | 28 | 3.1% |
| Virginia | 26 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 357 | 40.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 650 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 650 | 73.0% |
| Internet | 120 | 13.5% |
| TV | 108 | 12.1% |
| Radio | 10 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
650 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 474 | 72.9% |
| Billing | 71 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 31 | 4.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 3.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 14 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 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).
Internet complaints
120 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 45 | 37.5% |
| Billing | 38 | 31.7% |
| Speed | 19 | 15.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.8% |
| Privacy | 7 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
108 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 54 | 50.0% |
| Availability | 23 | 21.3% |
| Interference | 13 | 12.0% |
| Equipment | 11 | 10.2% |
| Indecency | 4 | 3.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
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.