FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 July 2019
Introduction
A total of 778 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Friday, 5 July 2019, this represented an increase from the 381 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 497 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 778
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (497)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (100)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 778 complaints were recorded on 5 July 2019, with reports originating from 549 cities in 49 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 100 | 12.9% |
| Florida | 83 | 10.7% |
| Texas | 60 | 7.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 4.8% |
| New York | 35 | 4.5% |
| Ohio | 34 | 4.4% |
| Maryland | 27 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 25 | 3.2% |
| Georgia | 24 | 3.1% |
| Massachusetts | 22 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 331 | 42.5% |
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 595 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 595 | 76.5% |
| TV | 89 | 11.4% |
| Internet | 87 | 11.2% |
| Radio | 5 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
595 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 497 | 83.5% |
| Billing | 38 | 6.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 3.2% |
| Equipment | 18 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.2% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 44 | 49.4% |
| Billing | 34 | 38.2% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.4% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
87 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 40 | 46.0% |
| Billing | 27 | 31.0% |
| Speed | 12 | 13.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.6% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.3% |
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.