FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 October 2019
Introduction
On 21 October 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1004 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 320 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 555 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1004
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (555)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (131)
Where the complaints came from
The 1004 complaints recorded on 21 October 2019 originated from 689 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 131 | 13.0% |
| Texas | 90 | 9.0% |
| Florida | 70 | 7.0% |
| New York | 49 | 4.9% |
| Ohio | 39 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 38 | 3.8% |
| Arizona | 35 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | 3.5% |
| Wisconsin | 32 | 3.2% |
| Illinois | 31 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 451 | 44.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 759 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 759 | 75.6% |
| TV | 125 | 12.5% |
| Internet | 99 | 9.9% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.6% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
759 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 555 | 73.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 69 | 9.1% |
| Billing | 66 | 8.7% |
| Equipment | 30 | 4.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
TV complaints
125 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 55 | 44.0% |
| Billing | 54 | 43.2% |
| Indecency | 8 | 6.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.2% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 44.4% |
| Availability | 33 | 33.3% |
| Speed | 9 | 9.1% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.1% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.0% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.0% |
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.