FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 November 2019
Introduction
On Sunday, 17 November 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 289 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 362 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 42 states and territories, with Texas reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 147 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 289
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (147)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (33)
Where the complaints came from
Across 231 cities in 42 states and territories, a total of 289 complaints were recorded on 17 November 2019. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 33 | 11.4% |
| California | 30 | 10.4% |
| Florida | 24 | 8.3% |
| Ohio | 16 | 5.5% |
| New York | 14 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 14 | 4.8% |
| Illinois | 13 | 4.5% |
| Arizona | 11 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 9 | 3.1% |
| Colorado | 8 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 117 | 40.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 26 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 191 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 191 | 66.1% |
| TV | 47 | 16.3% |
| Internet | 46 | 15.9% |
| Radio | 4 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
191 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 147 | 77.0% |
| Billing | 11 | 5.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 9 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 8 | 4.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 3.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.5% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
47 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 19 | 40.4% |
| Billing | 12 | 25.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 19.1% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6.4% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 4.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
46 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 43.5% |
| Availability | 17 | 37.0% |
| Privacy | 3 | 6.5% |
| Speed | 3 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.2% |
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.