FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 April 2019
Introduction
On 5 April 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1055 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1291 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 803 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1055
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (803)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (128)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 5 April 2019 show 1055 complaints originating from 678 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 128 | 12.1% |
| Florida | 110 | 10.4% |
| Texas | 71 | 6.7% |
| New York | 57 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 55 | 5.2% |
| North Carolina | 44 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 34 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 32 | 3.0% |
| Illinois | 31 | 2.9% |
| Massachusetts | 30 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 459 | 43.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 920 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 920 | 87.2% |
| TV | 67 | 6.4% |
| Internet | 56 | 5.3% |
| Radio | 10 | 0.9% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
920 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 87.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 803 | 87.3% |
| Billing | 43 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 19 | 2.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 14 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.3% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
67 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 44.8% |
| Availability | 22 | 32.8% |
| Equipment | 6 | 9.0% |
| Indecency | 3 | 4.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 4.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
56 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 48.2% |
| Availability | 17 | 30.4% |
| Speed | 5 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 4 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.