FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 December 2018
Introduction
On 23 December 2018, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 193 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 387 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 40 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
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
- 193
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (78)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (20)
Where the complaints came from
The 193 complaints recorded on 23 December 2018 originated from 151 cities across 40 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location 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 | 20 | 10.4% |
| Texas | 15 | 7.8% |
| Iowa | 11 | 5.7% |
| Illinois | 10 | 5.2% |
| Washington | 10 | 5.2% |
| Florida | 9 | 4.7% |
| Georgia | 9 | 4.7% |
| New Jersey | 9 | 4.7% |
| Massachusetts | 7 | 3.6% |
| New York | 7 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 86 | 44.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 126 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 126 | 65.3% |
| TV | 34 | 17.6% |
| Internet | 29 | 15.0% |
| Radio | 3 | 1.6% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
126 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 65.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 78 | 61.9% |
| Billing | 17 | 13.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 12 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 12 | 9.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 2.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.6% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
34 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 13 | 38.2% |
| Availability | 7 | 20.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 20.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 11.8% |
| Privacy | 3 | 8.8% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials.
Internet complaints
29 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 11 | 37.9% |
| Availability | 5 | 17.2% |
| Interference | 5 | 17.2% |
| Speed | 5 | 17.2% |
| Equipment | 2 | 6.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 3.4% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Interference.
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.