FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 September 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1201 consumer complaints on 4 September 2019 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1165 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 735 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1201
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (735)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (119)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1201 complaints were recorded on 4 September 2019, with reports originating from 796 cities in 50 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable 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 | 119 | 9.9% |
| Texas | 99 | 8.2% |
| Florida | 95 | 7.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 56 | 4.7% |
| New York | 50 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 49 | 4.1% |
| Georgia | 42 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 41 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 40 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 37 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 566 | 47.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 938 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 938 | 78.1% |
| TV | 136 | 11.3% |
| Internet | 114 | 9.5% |
| Radio | 11 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
938 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 735 | 78.4% |
| Billing | 89 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 40 | 4.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 3.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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 Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
136 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 80 | 58.8% |
| Availability | 39 | 28.7% |
| Equipment | 10 | 7.4% |
| Indecency | 3 | 2.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.7% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 42 | 36.8% |
| Billing | 38 | 33.3% |
| Speed | 14 | 12.3% |
| Equipment | 9 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 8 | 7.0% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.6% |
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.