FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 October 2019
Introduction
A total of 1203 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 3 October 2019, complaint volume increased from 1172 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 835 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1203
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (835)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (139)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1203 complaints were recorded on 3 October 2019, with reports originating from 743 cities in 49 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Iowa, where Iowa City accounted for 22 of the 34 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 139 | 11.6% |
| Florida | 124 | 10.3% |
| Texas | 88 | 7.3% |
| Illinois | 68 | 5.7% |
| New York | 53 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 49 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 44 | 3.7% |
| Wisconsin | 39 | 3.2% |
| Colorado | 37 | 3.1% |
| North Carolina | 36 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 526 | 43.7% |
Location highlights
- Iowa City accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Iowa.
- California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 89 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 982 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 982 | 81.6% |
| TV | 112 | 9.3% |
| Internet | 92 | 7.6% |
| Accessibility | 7 | 0.6% |
| Radio | 7 | 0.6% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
982 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 835 | 85.0% |
| Billing | 50 | 5.1% |
| Equipment | 27 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 20 | 2.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 18 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 5 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
TV complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 46.4% |
| Availability | 30 | 26.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 13.4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.3% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 39.1% |
| Availability | 35 | 38.0% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.9% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.5% |
| Speed | 4 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
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.