FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 December 2018
Introduction
A total of 265 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Sunday, 30 December 2018, complaint volume fell from 385 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 46 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 100 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
- 265
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (100)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (33)
Where the complaints came from
On 30 December 2018, the 265 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 220 cities across 46 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 33 | 12.5% |
| Texas | 20 | 7.5% |
| Florida | 19 | 7.2% |
| New York | 14 | 5.3% |
| New Jersey | 13 | 4.9% |
| Georgia | 11 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 11 | 4.2% |
| Kentucky | 9 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 9 | 3.4% |
| Washington | 9 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 117 | 44.2% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 25 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 147 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 147 | 55.5% |
| Internet | 56 | 21.1% |
| TV | 56 | 21.1% |
| Radio | 4 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.8% |
Phone complaints
147 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 55.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 100 | 68.0% |
| Billing | 18 | 12.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 5.4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 2.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 1.4% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
56 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 12 | 21.4% |
| Billing | 12 | 21.4% |
| Interference | 11 | 19.6% |
| Speed | 11 | 19.6% |
| Privacy | 7 | 12.5% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.4% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Interference.
TV complaints
56 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Loud Commercials | 16 | 28.6% |
| Billing | 13 | 23.2% |
| Equipment | 11 | 19.6% |
| Availability | 8 | 14.3% |
| Indecency | 3 | 5.4% |
| Interference | 3 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Loud Commercials, Billing and Equipment.
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.