FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 September 2019
Introduction
A total of 1213 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, 26 September 2019, this represented an increase from the 1146 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 828 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1213
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (828)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (147)
Where the complaints came from
The 1213 complaints recorded on 26 September 2019 were submitted from 812 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 147 | 12.1% |
| Texas | 97 | 8.0% |
| Florida | 95 | 7.8% |
| New York | 77 | 6.3% |
| Ohio | 51 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 47 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 45 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 40 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 40 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 532 | 43.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 1001 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1001 | 82.5% |
| TV | 103 | 8.5% |
| Internet | 88 | 7.3% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
1001 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 828 | 82.7% |
| Billing | 52 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 30 | 3.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 51.5% |
| Availability | 25 | 24.3% |
| Equipment | 11 | 10.7% |
| Indecency | 6 | 5.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.9% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
88 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 40.9% |
| Availability | 33 | 37.5% |
| Speed | 8 | 9.1% |
| Interference | 7 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.3% |
Billing and Availability 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.