FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 February 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1083 consumer complaints on Friday, 1 February 2019 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1323 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 726 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1083
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (726)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (111)
Where the complaints came from
Across 722 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 1083 complaints were recorded on 1 February 2019. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant 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 | 111 | 10.2% |
| Florida | 89 | 8.2% |
| New York | 55 | 5.1% |
| New Jersey | 54 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 54 | 5.0% |
| Texas | 52 | 4.8% |
| North Carolina | 48 | 4.4% |
| Wisconsin | 48 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 37 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 32 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 493 | 45.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 885 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 885 | 81.7% |
| TV | 93 | 8.6% |
| Internet | 87 | 8.0% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
885 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 726 | 82.0% |
| Billing | 58 | 6.6% |
| Equipment | 28 | 3.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 15 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 13 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
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 Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 46.2% |
| Availability | 20 | 21.5% |
| Indecency | 11 | 11.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.2% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
87 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 44.8% |
| Speed | 21 | 24.1% |
| Availability | 14 | 16.1% |
| Privacy | 6 | 6.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.7% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.3% |
Billing and Speed 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.