FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 September 2019
Introduction
On Wednesday, 11 September 2019, 1309 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 1235 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 907 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1309
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (907)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (140)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1309 complaints were recorded on 11 September 2019, with reports originating from 811 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 140 | 10.7% |
| Texas | 129 | 9.9% |
| Florida | 86 | 6.6% |
| New York | 69 | 5.3% |
| Ohio | 58 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 3.8% |
| Massachusetts | 49 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 45 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 40 | 3.1% |
| Illinois | 37 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 600 | 45.8% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 1063 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1063 | 81.2% |
| Internet | 127 | 9.7% |
| TV | 100 | 7.6% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1063 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 907 | 85.3% |
| Billing | 59 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
127 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 40.9% |
| Availability | 48 | 37.8% |
| Speed | 10 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.7% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.4% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 50.0% |
| Availability | 36 | 36.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 7.0% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.0% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 1 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
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.