FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 August 2019
Introduction
On Saturday, 24 August 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 443 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1280 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 43 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 226 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 443
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (226)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (64)
Where the complaints came from
The 443 complaints recorded on 24 August 2019 originated from 320 cities across 43 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location 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 table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 64 | 14.4% |
| Florida | 34 | 7.7% |
| Texas | 32 | 7.2% |
| South Carolina | 26 | 5.9% |
| New York | 25 | 5.6% |
| Washington | 24 | 5.4% |
| Georgia | 19 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 19 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 18 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 16 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 166 | 37.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 48 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 273 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 273 | 61.6% |
| TV | 103 | 23.3% |
| Internet | 58 | 13.1% |
| Radio | 6 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
273 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 61.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 226 | 82.8% |
| Equipment | 13 | 4.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 12 | 4.4% |
| Billing | 12 | 4.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 2.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.4% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Equipment, Availability (including rural call completion) and Billing.
TV complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 53 | 51.5% |
| Billing | 35 | 34.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 6.8% |
| Indecency | 6 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 2 | 1.9% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
58 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 23 | 39.7% |
| Billing | 12 | 20.7% |
| Privacy | 10 | 17.2% |
| Speed | 6 | 10.3% |
| Equipment | 4 | 6.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 5.2% |
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.