FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 September 2019
Introduction
A total of 1072 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Friday, 13 September 2019, this represented a decline from the 1279 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 660 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1072
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (660)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (97)
Where the complaints came from
The 1072 complaints recorded on 13 September 2019 were submitted from 697 cities across 49 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Rhode Island, where Providence accounted for 24 of the 35 complaints recorded.
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 | 97 | 9.0% |
| Texas | 87 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 72 | 6.7% |
| New York | 68 | 6.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 52 | 4.9% |
| North Carolina | 40 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.6% |
| Ohio | 39 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 36 | 3.4% |
| Rhode Island | 35 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 506 | 47.2% |
Location highlight
Providence accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Rhode Island.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 811 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 811 | 75.7% |
| Internet | 125 | 11.7% |
| TV | 122 | 11.4% |
| Radio | 10 | 0.9% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
811 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 660 | 81.4% |
| Billing | 56 | 6.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 3.3% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 3 | 0.4% |
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
125 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 36 | 28.8% |
| Billing | 34 | 27.2% |
| Privacy | 23 | 18.4% |
| Interference | 12 | 9.6% |
| Speed | 11 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 7.2% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing and Privacy.
TV complaints
122 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 43 | 35.2% |
| Billing | 37 | 30.3% |
| Indecency | 24 | 19.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 5.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.5% |
| 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.
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.