FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 March 2019
Introduction
On 9 March 2019, 371 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1094 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 46 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 54 complaints. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 222 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 371
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (222)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (54)
Where the complaints came from
The 371 complaints recorded on 9 March 2019 originated from 281 cities across 46 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 54 | 14.6% |
| Florida | 25 | 6.7% |
| Texas | 25 | 6.7% |
| New York | 23 | 6.2% |
| Washington | 21 | 5.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 15 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 14 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 14 | 3.8% |
| Tennessee | 13 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 149 | 40.2% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 267 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 267 | 72.0% |
| TV | 52 | 14.0% |
| Internet | 37 | 10.0% |
| Radio | 11 | 3.0% |
| Emergency | 4 | 1.1% |
Phone complaints
267 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 222 | 83.1% |
| Billing | 17 | 6.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 9 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 8 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 5 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.4% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
52 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 46.2% |
| Availability | 11 | 21.2% |
| Equipment | 6 | 11.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 9.6% |
| Indecency | 2 | 3.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
37 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 11 | 29.7% |
| Availability | 9 | 24.3% |
| Speed | 8 | 21.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 16.2% |
| Privacy | 3 | 8.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
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.