FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 November 2019
Introduction
On Wednesday, 13 November 2019, 1118 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1051 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 732 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1118
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (732)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (128)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 13 November 2019 show 1118 complaints originating from 743 cities across 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Iowa, where Iowa City accounted for 19 of the 31 complaints recorded.
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 | 128 | 11.4% |
| Texas | 121 | 10.8% |
| Florida | 85 | 7.6% |
| New York | 64 | 5.7% |
| Ohio | 54 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 4.6% |
| North Carolina | 46 | 4.1% |
| Georgia | 31 | 2.8% |
| Iowa | 31 | 2.8% |
| New Jersey | 31 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 472 | 42.2% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Iowa were heavily concentrated in Iowa City, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 881 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 881 | 78.8% |
| Internet | 117 | 10.5% |
| TV | 108 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 8 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
881 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 732 | 83.1% |
| Billing | 61 | 6.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 2.2% |
| Equipment | 19 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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.
Internet complaints
117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 37.6% |
| Availability | 43 | 36.8% |
| Speed | 13 | 11.1% |
| Interference | 9 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
108 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 62 | 57.4% |
| Availability | 23 | 21.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.4% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 3.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
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.