FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 March 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1289 consumer complaints on 5 March 2019 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1109 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 878 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1289
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (878)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (119)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1289 complaints were recorded on 5 March 2019, with reports originating from 829 cities in 51 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 119 | 9.2% |
| Texas | 115 | 8.9% |
| Florida | 102 | 7.9% |
| New York | 81 | 6.3% |
| North Carolina | 62 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 61 | 4.7% |
| Ohio | 58 | 4.5% |
| Georgia | 53 | 4.1% |
| Virginia | 47 | 3.6% |
| Maryland | 45 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 544 | 42.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1059 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1059 | 82.2% |
| TV | 107 | 8.3% |
| Internet | 97 | 7.5% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 11 | 0.9% |
Phone complaints
1059 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 878 | 82.9% |
| Billing | 75 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 26 | 2.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 20 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 8 | 0.8% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 47.7% |
| Availability | 28 | 26.2% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.4% |
| Indecency | 8 | 7.5% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 40.2% |
| Availability | 27 | 27.8% |
| Speed | 12 | 12.4% |
| Privacy | 8 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 7 | 7.2% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.1% |
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.