FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 March 2019
Introduction
On 30 March 2019, 427 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 1223 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 48 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 254 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 427
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (254)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (49)
Where the complaints came from
The 427 complaints recorded on 30 March 2019 were submitted from 322 cities across 48 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 | 49 | 11.5% |
| Florida | 46 | 10.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 26 | 6.1% |
| Texas | 24 | 5.6% |
| New York | 21 | 4.9% |
| Illinois | 15 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 15 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 15 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 15 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 13 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 188 | 44.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 332 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 332 | 77.8% |
| Internet | 46 | 10.8% |
| TV | 43 | 10.1% |
| Radio | 5 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
332 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 254 | 76.5% |
| Billing | 26 | 7.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 18 | 5.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 10 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 9 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 6 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.3% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Interference (including signal jammers) and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
46 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 15 | 32.6% |
| Availability | 10 | 21.7% |
| Interference | 7 | 15.2% |
| Speed | 7 | 15.2% |
| Equipment | 5 | 10.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 4.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Interference.
TV complaints
43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 18 | 41.9% |
| Billing | 17 | 39.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 7.0% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 4.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.3% |
Availability and Billing 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.