FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 March 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1326 consumer complaints on 28 March 2019 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1410 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 987 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1326
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (987)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (150)
Where the complaints came from
The 1326 complaints recorded on 28 March 2019 originated from 872 cities across 51 states and territories. 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 table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 150 | 11.3% |
| Florida | 107 | 8.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 85 | 6.4% |
| New York | 76 | 5.7% |
| Texas | 73 | 5.5% |
| North Carolina | 53 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 53 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 49 | 3.7% |
| Michigan | 43 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 39 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 597 | 45.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1128 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1128 | 85.1% |
| TV | 98 | 7.4% |
| Internet | 82 | 6.2% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1128 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 85.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 987 | 87.5% |
| Billing | 66 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 21 | 1.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 0.6% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 48.0% |
| Availability | 27 | 27.6% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 6.1% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.1% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 37.8% |
| Availability | 25 | 30.5% |
| Speed | 13 | 15.9% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.