FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 March 2019
Introduction
On Sunday, 17 March 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 340 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 507 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 43 states and territories, with Illinois recording the largest share of reports at 83 complaints. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 340
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (127)
- Most reported state/territory
- Illinois (83)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 340 complaints were recorded on 17 March 2019, with reports originating from 241 cities in 43 states and territories. Compared with most days, complaint activity was more concentrated, with Illinois contributing the largest share of complaints. At the city level, no single location accounted for a notable share of complaints.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 83 | 24.4% |
| California | 34 | 10.0% |
| Texas | 19 | 5.6% |
| Florida | 18 | 5.3% |
| Arizona | 16 | 4.7% |
| Michigan | 14 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 14 | 4.1% |
| Kentucky | 11 | 3.2% |
| New York | 11 | 3.2% |
| New Jersey | 9 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 111 | 32.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 4 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 177 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 177 | 52.1% |
| TV | 118 | 34.7% |
| Internet | 40 | 11.8% |
| Radio | 5 | 1.5% |
Phone complaints
177 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 52.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 127 | 71.8% |
| Billing | 18 | 10.2% |
| Equipment | 12 | 6.8% |
| Privacy | 9 | 5.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 2.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 3 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.6% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Privacy.
TV complaints
118 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 34.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 79 | 66.9% |
| Billing | 15 | 12.7% |
| Indecency | 10 | 8.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 5.9% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.5% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
40 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 14 | 35.0% |
| Billing | 10 | 25.0% |
| Privacy | 7 | 17.5% |
| Availability | 3 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 3 | 7.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 7.5% |
Speed and Billing 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.