FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 August 2019
Introduction
A total of 1163 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 1 August 2019, complaint volume fell from 1215 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 775 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1163
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (775)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (155)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 1 August 2019 show 1163 complaints originating from 741 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 155 | 13.3% |
| Florida | 95 | 8.2% |
| Texas | 95 | 8.2% |
| New York | 67 | 5.8% |
| New Jersey | 46 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 39 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 3.2% |
| Maryland | 36 | 3.1% |
| Arizona | 33 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 517 | 44.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 100 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 4 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 912 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 912 | 78.4% |
| Internet | 130 | 11.2% |
| TV | 111 | 9.5% |
| Radio | 10 | 0.9% |
Phone complaints
912 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 775 | 85.0% |
| Billing | 50 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 26 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
130 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 40 | 30.8% |
| Billing | 40 | 30.8% |
| Privacy | 24 | 18.5% |
| Speed | 10 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.2% |
| Interference | 8 | 6.2% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
111 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 51 | 45.9% |
| Billing | 43 | 38.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 8.1% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.6% |
| Indecency | 3 | 2.7% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.9% |
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.