FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 August 2019
Introduction
A total of 1363 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 6 August 2019, complaint volume increased from 1258 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 859 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1363
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (859)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (205)
Where the complaints came from
The 1363 complaints recorded on 6 August 2019 originated from 860 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share 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 | 205 | 15.0% |
| Texas | 113 | 8.3% |
| Florida | 81 | 5.9% |
| New York | 67 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 61 | 4.5% |
| Ohio | 55 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 51 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 48 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 39 | 2.9% |
| Arizona | 36 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 603 | 44.2% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 116 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1041 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1041 | 76.4% |
| TV | 163 | 12.0% |
| Internet | 137 | 10.1% |
| Radio | 19 | 1.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.1% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1041 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 859 | 82.5% |
| Billing | 68 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 30 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
163 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 73 | 44.8% |
| Availability | 69 | 42.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 4.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 3.7% |
| Indecency | 5 | 3.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
137 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 32.8% |
| Availability | 39 | 28.5% |
| Privacy | 22 | 16.1% |
| Interference | 13 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.6% |
| Speed | 9 | 6.6% |
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.