FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 May 2019
Introduction
A total of 1122 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, 29 May 2019, this was lower than the 1190 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 813 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1122
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (813)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (142)
Where the complaints came from
Across 744 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 1122 complaints were recorded on 29 May 2019. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 142 | 12.7% |
| New York | 100 | 8.9% |
| Florida | 90 | 8.0% |
| Texas | 85 | 7.6% |
| Ohio | 40 | 3.6% |
| Maryland | 36 | 3.2% |
| Illinois | 35 | 3.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | 3.1% |
| New Jersey | 31 | 2.8% |
| Washington | 31 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 493 | 43.9% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 97 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 931 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 931 | 83.0% |
| Internet | 106 | 9.4% |
| TV | 69 | 6.1% |
| Radio | 8 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 6 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
931 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 813 | 87.3% |
| Billing | 43 | 4.6% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Privacy | 5 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
106 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 35.8% |
| Availability | 37 | 34.9% |
| Equipment | 11 | 10.4% |
| Speed | 10 | 9.4% |
| Privacy | 6 | 5.7% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
69 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 60.9% |
| Availability | 12 | 17.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 10.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.9% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, 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.