FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 September 2019
Introduction
On 21 September 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 459 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1028 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 45 states and territories, with Texas recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 304 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 459
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (304)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (60)
Where the complaints came from
The 459 complaints recorded on 21 September 2019 were submitted from 320 cities across 45 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 60 | 13.1% |
| California | 44 | 9.6% |
| Florida | 33 | 7.2% |
| New York | 30 | 6.5% |
| Ohio | 25 | 5.4% |
| Maryland | 23 | 5.0% |
| Wisconsin | 20 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 19 | 4.1% |
| Washington | 16 | 3.5% |
| Massachusetts | 15 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 174 | 37.9% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 34 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 361 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 361 | 78.6% |
| Internet | 46 | 10.0% |
| TV | 42 | 9.2% |
| Radio | 7 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
361 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 304 | 84.2% |
| Billing | 28 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 11 | 3.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 5 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.6% |
| Privacy | 2 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.3% |
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).
Internet complaints
46 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 16 | 34.8% |
| Availability | 13 | 28.3% |
| Interference | 5 | 10.9% |
| Privacy | 5 | 10.9% |
| Speed | 5 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
42 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 18 | 42.9% |
| Availability | 17 | 40.5% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 1 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.4% |
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.