FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 December 2018
Introduction
A total of 385 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Saturday, 29 December 2018, this represented a decline from the 816 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 44 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 163 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
- 385
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (163)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (47)
Where the complaints came from
The 385 complaints recorded on 29 December 2018 were submitted from 319 cities across 44 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 47 | 12.2% |
| Texas | 36 | 9.4% |
| Florida | 26 | 6.8% |
| New York | 24 | 6.2% |
| Illinois | 19 | 4.9% |
| Ohio | 17 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 4.2% |
| New Jersey | 15 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 14 | 3.6% |
| Arizona | 12 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 159 | 41.3% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 41 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 265 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 265 | 68.8% |
| Internet | 68 | 17.7% |
| TV | 45 | 11.7% |
| Radio | 3 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
265 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 163 | 61.5% |
| Billing | 36 | 13.6% |
| Equipment | 24 | 9.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 17 | 6.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 3.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 3.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.8% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
68 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 22 | 32.4% |
| Speed | 15 | 22.1% |
| Billing | 14 | 20.6% |
| Privacy | 7 | 10.3% |
| Interference | 6 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.9% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Speed and Billing among the most common.
TV complaints
45 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 53.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 17.8% |
| Availability | 4 | 8.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 8.9% |
| Indecency | 3 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.2% |
Billing and Equipment 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.