FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 March 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 240 consumer complaints on Sunday, 10 March 2019 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 371 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 40 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 240
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (97)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (35)
Where the complaints came from
Across 196 cities in 40 states and territories, a total of 240 complaints were recorded on 10 March 2019. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 35 | 14.6% |
| New York | 22 | 9.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 6.7% |
| Texas | 16 | 6.7% |
| Maryland | 12 | 5.0% |
| Virginia | 11 | 4.6% |
| Kentucky | 10 | 4.2% |
| Florida | 9 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 8 | 3.3% |
| Massachusetts | 7 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 94 | 39.2% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 30 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 151 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 151 | 62.9% |
| TV | 44 | 18.3% |
| Internet | 38 | 15.8% |
| Radio | 5 | 2.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
151 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 62.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 97 | 64.2% |
| Billing | 22 | 14.6% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 5.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.7% |
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 Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
44 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 16 | 36.4% |
| Indecency | 10 | 22.7% |
| Availability | 7 | 15.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 15.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.3% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Indecency and Availability.
Internet complaints
38 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 21 | 55.3% |
| Speed | 7 | 18.4% |
| Availability | 4 | 10.5% |
| Privacy | 4 | 10.5% |
| Equipment | 2 | 5.3% |
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.