FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 August 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1194 consumer complaints on 9 August 2019 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1269 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 803 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1194
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (803)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (146)
Where the complaints came from
On 9 August 2019, the 1194 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 794 cities across 51 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 146 | 12.2% |
| Florida | 106 | 8.9% |
| Texas | 73 | 6.1% |
| New York | 59 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 53 | 4.4% |
| Ohio | 48 | 4.0% |
| Georgia | 47 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 47 | 3.9% |
| Colorado | 36 | 3.0% |
| Illinois | 33 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 534 | 44.7% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 104 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 921 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 921 | 77.1% |
| TV | 142 | 11.9% |
| Internet | 119 | 10.0% |
| Radio | 11 | 0.9% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
921 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 803 | 87.2% |
| Billing | 34 | 3.7% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| 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.
TV complaints
142 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 63 | 44.4% |
| Billing | 56 | 39.4% |
| Indecency | 11 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 4 | 2.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 2.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.7% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
119 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 47 | 39.5% |
| Billing | 35 | 29.4% |
| Speed | 13 | 10.9% |
| Interference | 11 | 9.2% |
| Privacy | 10 | 8.4% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.5% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.