FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 January 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 227 consumer complaints on 1 January 2019 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 445 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 44 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than 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
- 227
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (63)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (23)
Where the complaints came from
The 227 complaints recorded on 1 January 2019 were submitted from 181 cities across 44 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 23 | 10.1% |
| Ohio | 19 | 8.4% |
| Florida | 18 | 7.9% |
| Tennessee | 14 | 6.2% |
| Michigan | 13 | 5.7% |
| Texas | 12 | 5.3% |
| Virginia | 11 | 4.8% |
| Colorado | 9 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 8 | 3.5% |
| Arizona | 7 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 92 | 40.5% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 4 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 112 complaints. This was followed by TV, which accounted for 65 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 112 | 49.3% |
| TV | 65 | 28.6% |
| Internet | 42 | 18.5% |
| Radio | 8 | 3.5% |
Phone complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 49.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 63 | 56.3% |
| Billing | 24 | 21.4% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 6 | 5.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 4.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.8% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
65 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 28.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 32 | 49.2% |
| Billing | 12 | 18.5% |
| Indecency | 12 | 18.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 9.2% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.5% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
42 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 15 | 35.7% |
| Speed | 14 | 33.3% |
| Interference | 5 | 11.9% |
| Availability | 4 | 9.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.4% |
Billing and Speed 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.