FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 August 2019
Introduction
On 18 August 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 256 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 422 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 40 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 106 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 256
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (106)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (27)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 256 complaints were recorded on 18 August 2019, with reports originating from 215 cities in 40 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 27 | 10.5% |
| Texas | 24 | 9.4% |
| Florida | 19 | 7.4% |
| New York | 14 | 5.5% |
| Arizona | 12 | 4.7% |
| North Carolina | 11 | 4.3% |
| Nevada | 10 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 10 | 3.9% |
| Tennessee | 9 | 3.5% |
| Washington | 9 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 111 | 43.4% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 143 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 143 | 55.9% |
| Internet | 56 | 21.9% |
| TV | 54 | 21.1% |
| Radio | 2 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
143 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 55.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 106 | 74.1% |
| Billing | 13 | 9.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 4.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.7% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
56 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 24 | 42.9% |
| Billing | 12 | 21.4% |
| Speed | 10 | 17.9% |
| Interference | 4 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 3 | 5.4% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
54 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 26 | 48.1% |
| Billing | 21 | 38.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 5.6% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.7% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.9% |
| Indecency | 1 | 1.9% |
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.