FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 August 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1258 consumer complaints on 5 August 2019 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 299 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 771 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1258
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (771)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (148)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1258 complaints were recorded on 5 August 2019, with reports originating from 823 cities in 51 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 148 | 11.8% |
| Florida | 102 | 8.1% |
| Texas | 83 | 6.6% |
| New York | 74 | 5.9% |
| North Carolina | 49 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 47 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 45 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.6% |
| Maryland | 43 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 580 | 46.1% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 93 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 965 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 965 | 76.7% |
| TV | 154 | 12.2% |
| Internet | 120 | 9.5% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
965 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 771 | 79.9% |
| Billing | 83 | 8.6% |
| Equipment | 36 | 3.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 0.3% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
154 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 68 | 44.2% |
| Billing | 67 | 43.5% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 3.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
120 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 49 | 40.8% |
| Billing | 36 | 30.0% |
| Speed | 14 | 11.7% |
| Interference | 9 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.8% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.2% |
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.