FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 January 2019
Introduction
On 3 January 2019, 658 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 929 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 394 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
- 658
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (394)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (57)
Where the complaints came from
The 658 complaints recorded on 3 January 2019 were submitted from 504 cities across 50 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 57 | 8.7% |
| Florida | 44 | 6.7% |
| New York | 38 | 5.8% |
| Texas | 38 | 5.8% |
| Ohio | 36 | 5.5% |
| Wisconsin | 30 | 4.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 29 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 27 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 27 | 4.1% |
| Colorado | 23 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 309 | 47.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 502 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 502 | 76.3% |
| TV | 83 | 12.6% |
| Internet | 60 | 9.1% |
| Accessibility | 7 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.5% |
| Radio | 3 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
502 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 394 | 78.5% |
| Billing | 41 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 27 | 5.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 11 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 6 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.6% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
83 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 54.2% |
| Availability | 24 | 28.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9.6% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.6% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 1 | 1.2% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
60 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 43.3% |
| Availability | 13 | 21.7% |
| Speed | 10 | 16.7% |
| Privacy | 5 | 8.3% |
| Interference | 4 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.