FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 May 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 328 consumer complaints on 18 May 2019 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 985 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 44 states and territories, with California accounting for the largest number of submissions at 67 complaints. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 200 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 328
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (200)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (67)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 328 complaints were recorded on 18 May 2019, with reports originating from 263 cities in 44 states and territories. Complaint activity was somewhat more concentrated than usual, with California accounting for the largest share of reports. At the city level, complaints were spread across locations, with no single city representing a significant proportion of the total.
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 | 67 | 20.4% |
| Florida | 27 | 8.2% |
| New York | 24 | 7.3% |
| Texas | 17 | 5.2% |
| North Carolina | 15 | 4.6% |
| Maryland | 13 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 12 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 12 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 10 | 3.0% |
| Tennessee | 10 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 121 | 36.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 241 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 241 | 73.5% |
| TV | 41 | 12.5% |
| Internet | 39 | 11.9% |
| Radio | 4 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
241 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 200 | 83.0% |
| Billing | 13 | 5.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 9 | 3.7% |
| Equipment | 6 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 2.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.4% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
41 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 48.8% |
| Availability | 13 | 31.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 7.3% |
| Indecency | 3 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 1 | 2.4% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 20 | 51.3% |
| Billing | 11 | 28.2% |
| Speed | 4 | 10.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 5.1% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.6% |
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.