FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 September 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1122 consumer complaints on 9 September 2019 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 296 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 696 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1122
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (696)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (125)
Where the complaints came from
The 1122 complaints recorded on 9 September 2019 were submitted from 792 cities across 52 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 125 | 11.1% |
| Texas | 97 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 74 | 6.6% |
| North Carolina | 51 | 4.5% |
| New York | 50 | 4.5% |
| Ohio | 42 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 39 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 37 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 521 | 46.4% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 867 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 867 | 77.3% |
| Internet | 121 | 10.8% |
| TV | 114 | 10.2% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
867 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 696 | 80.3% |
| Billing | 65 | 7.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 34 | 3.9% |
| Equipment | 26 | 3.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
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
121 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 49 | 40.5% |
| Billing | 39 | 32.2% |
| Speed | 16 | 13.2% |
| Equipment | 12 | 9.9% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 63 | 55.3% |
| Availability | 32 | 28.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 9.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 4.4% |
| Indecency | 3 | 2.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.