FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 October 2019
Introduction
On Monday, 7 October 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 945 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 282 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 559 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 945
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (559)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (105)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 945 complaints were recorded on 7 October 2019, with reports originating from 651 cities in 52 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 105 | 11.1% |
| Texas | 80 | 8.5% |
| Florida | 66 | 7.0% |
| North Carolina | 59 | 6.2% |
| New York | 58 | 6.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 4.3% |
| Washington | 38 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 33 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 32 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 31 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 394 | 41.7% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 719 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 719 | 76.1% |
| TV | 124 | 13.1% |
| Internet | 86 | 9.1% |
| Radio | 9 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
719 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 559 | 77.7% |
| Billing | 62 | 8.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 31 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 30 | 4.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.3% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
124 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 64 | 51.6% |
| Availability | 26 | 21.0% |
| Equipment | 14 | 11.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 7.3% |
| Indecency | 8 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 44.2% |
| Availability | 33 | 38.4% |
| Speed | 5 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.5% |
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.