FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 April 2019
Introduction
On Wednesday, 24 April 2019, 1181 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 982 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 48 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 828 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1181
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (828)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (143)
Where the complaints came from
Across 732 cities in 48 states and territories, a total of 1181 complaints were recorded on 24 April 2019. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Arkansas, where Springdale accounted for 26 of the 31 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 143 | 12.1% |
| Florida | 118 | 10.0% |
| Texas | 84 | 7.1% |
| New York | 60 | 5.1% |
| Ohio | 56 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 44 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 41 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 36 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 496 | 42.0% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Arkansas were heavily concentrated in Springdale, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 982 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 982 | 83.1% |
| TV | 98 | 8.3% |
| Internet | 83 | 7.0% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
982 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 828 | 84.3% |
| Billing | 73 | 7.4% |
| Equipment | 16 | 1.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 15 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.5% |
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
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 54.1% |
| Availability | 26 | 26.5% |
| Indecency | 7 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 4.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
83 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 33 | 39.8% |
| Billing | 29 | 34.9% |
| Speed | 8 | 9.6% |
| Privacy | 5 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, 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.