FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 September 2019
Introduction
On 29 September 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 252 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 434 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 42 states and territories, with California accounting for the largest number of submissions at 42 complaints. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 102 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 252
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (102)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (42)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 252 complaints were recorded on 29 September 2019, with reports originating from 202 cities in 42 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 42 | 16.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 18 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 15 | 6.0% |
| New York | 13 | 5.2% |
| Illinois | 12 | 4.8% |
| Texas | 12 | 4.8% |
| Washington | 10 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 9 | 3.6% |
| Oklahoma | 9 | 3.6% |
| Wisconsin | 9 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 103 | 40.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 4 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 144 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 144 | 57.1% |
| TV | 68 | 27.0% |
| Internet | 35 | 13.9% |
| Radio | 5 | 2.0% |
Phone complaints
144 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 57.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 102 | 70.8% |
| Billing | 21 | 14.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 2.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 2 | 1.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.7% |
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 Interference (including signal jammers).
TV complaints
68 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 27.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 24 | 35.3% |
| Billing | 16 | 23.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 22.1% |
| Indecency | 8 | 11.8% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing and Loud Commercials.
Internet complaints
35 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 14 | 40.0% |
| Availability | 13 | 37.1% |
| Speed | 4 | 11.4% |
| Privacy | 3 | 8.6% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.9% |
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.