FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 December 2018
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1026 consumer complaints on 20 December 2018 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1104 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 672 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1026
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (672)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (142)
Where the complaints came from
Across 682 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1026 complaints were recorded on 20 December 2018. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant 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 | 142 | 13.8% |
| Florida | 90 | 8.8% |
| Texas | 80 | 7.8% |
| New York | 56 | 5.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 52 | 5.1% |
| Virginia | 42 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 41 | 4.0% |
| New Jersey | 36 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 34 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 31 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 421 | 41.0% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 812 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 812 | 79.1% |
| Internet | 100 | 9.7% |
| TV | 93 | 9.1% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.6% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
812 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 672 | 82.8% |
| Billing | 64 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 16 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.1% |
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. 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
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | 28 | 28.0% |
| Billing | 23 | 23.0% |
| Availability | 15 | 15.0% |
| Speed | 14 | 14.0% |
| Equipment | 12 | 12.0% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.0% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Privacy, Billing and Availability among the most common.
TV complaints
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 53.8% |
| Availability | 12 | 12.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.6% |
| Indecency | 6 | 6.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 6 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.4% |
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.