FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 August 2019
Introduction
On 21 August 2019, 1365 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1385 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 916 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1365
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (916)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (150)
Where the complaints came from
Across 866 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 1365 complaints were recorded on 21 August 2019. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 150 | 11.0% |
| Texas | 123 | 9.0% |
| Florida | 115 | 8.4% |
| New York | 72 | 5.3% |
| Ohio | 61 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 57 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 53 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 43 | 3.2% |
| Tennessee | 42 | 3.1% |
| Washington | 42 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 605 | 44.3% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 100 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 1094 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1094 | 80.1% |
| TV | 138 | 10.1% |
| Internet | 112 | 8.2% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1094 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 916 | 83.7% |
| Billing | 61 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 32 | 2.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 23 | 2.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 1.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 9 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
TV complaints
138 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 63 | 45.7% |
| Availability | 47 | 34.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 8.0% |
| Indecency | 6 | 4.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.2% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.4% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 40.2% |
| Availability | 32 | 28.6% |
| Speed | 17 | 15.2% |
| Privacy | 9 | 8.0% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.6% |
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.