FCC Consumer Complaints – 8 December 2019
Introduction
A total of 274 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 8 December 2019, this represented a decline from the 366 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 44 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 141 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 274
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (141)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (36)
Where the complaints came from
The 274 complaints recorded on 8 December 2019 were submitted from 203 cities across 44 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 | 36 | 13.1% |
| Florida | 25 | 9.1% |
| Texas | 19 | 6.9% |
| Kentucky | 17 | 6.2% |
| North Carolina | 15 | 5.5% |
| New York | 14 | 5.1% |
| New Jersey | 12 | 4.4% |
| Michigan | 11 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 10 | 3.6% |
| Washington | 10 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 105 | 38.3% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 181 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 181 | 66.1% |
| TV | 54 | 19.7% |
| Internet | 33 | 12.0% |
| Radio | 5 | 1.8% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
181 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 141 | 77.9% |
| Billing | 15 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 10 | 5.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 6 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.6% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
54 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 17 | 31.5% |
| Billing | 15 | 27.8% |
| Indecency | 11 | 20.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 13.0% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.7% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.9% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Indecency.
Internet complaints
33 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 12 | 36.4% |
| Availability | 11 | 33.3% |
| Speed | 7 | 21.2% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3.0% |
| Interference | 1 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 3.0% |
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.