FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 August 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1385 consumer complaints on Tuesday, 20 August 2019 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1162 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 897 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1385
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (897)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (144)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 20 August 2019 show 1385 complaints originating from 874 cities across 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 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 | 144 | 10.4% |
| Texas | 137 | 9.9% |
| Florida | 117 | 8.4% |
| New York | 74 | 5.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 70 | 5.1% |
| Ohio | 56 | 4.0% |
| Tennessee | 49 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 44 | 3.2% |
| Maryland | 41 | 3.0% |
| North Carolina | 39 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 607 | 43.8% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1086 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1086 | 78.4% |
| TV | 158 | 11.4% |
| Internet | 113 | 8.2% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 7 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1086 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 897 | 82.6% |
| Billing | 75 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 37 | 3.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 2.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 20 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Privacy | 5 | 0.5% |
| 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
158 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 74 | 46.8% |
| Availability | 65 | 41.1% |
| Equipment | 10 | 6.3% |
| Indecency | 7 | 4.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
113 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 41.6% |
| Availability | 45 | 39.8% |
| Speed | 8 | 7.1% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.5% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.5% |
Billing and Availability 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.