FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 February 2019
Introduction
On 20 February 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1068 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1241 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 768 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1068
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (768)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (116)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1068 complaints were recorded on 20 February 2019, with reports originating from 706 cities in 51 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 116 | 10.9% |
| Texas | 86 | 8.1% |
| New York | 79 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 75 | 7.0% |
| Virginia | 41 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 39 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 37 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 34 | 3.2% |
| New Jersey | 34 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 486 | 45.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 85 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 908 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 908 | 85.0% |
| TV | 73 | 6.8% |
| Internet | 68 | 6.4% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
908 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 85.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 768 | 84.6% |
| Billing | 49 | 5.4% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 16 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Privacy.
TV complaints
73 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 48 | 65.8% |
| Availability | 12 | 16.4% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.8% |
| Indecency | 4 | 5.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 2.7% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
68 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 45.6% |
| Availability | 11 | 16.2% |
| Speed | 11 | 16.2% |
| Equipment | 7 | 10.3% |
| Interference | 7 | 10.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
Billing and Availability 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.