FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 March 2019
Introduction
On 31 March 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 236 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 427 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 46 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 110 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 236
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (110)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (36)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 236 complaints were recorded on 31 March 2019, with reports originating from 178 cities in 46 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 36 | 15.3% |
| Kentucky | 20 | 8.5% |
| Texas | 20 | 8.5% |
| Illinois | 13 | 5.5% |
| Florida | 10 | 4.2% |
| Washington | 10 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 9 | 3.8% |
| New York | 9 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 9 | 3.8% |
| Indiana | 8 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 92 | 39.0% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 26 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 147 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 147 | 62.3% |
| Internet | 44 | 18.6% |
| TV | 33 | 14.0% |
| Radio | 10 | 4.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.8% |
Phone complaints
147 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 62.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 110 | 74.8% |
| Billing | 11 | 7.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 4.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 4.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 2.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.4% |
| 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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
44 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 13 | 29.5% |
| Availability | 12 | 27.3% |
| Interference | 8 | 18.2% |
| Privacy | 5 | 11.4% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6.8% |
| Speed | 3 | 6.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Interference.
TV complaints
33 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 16 | 48.5% |
| Availability | 8 | 24.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 12.1% |
| Indecency | 3 | 9.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 6.1% |
Billing and Availability 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.