FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 December 2019
Introduction
A total of 932 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, 10 December 2019, this was higher than the 837 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 largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 543 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 932
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (543)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (88)
Where the complaints came from
The 932 complaints recorded on 10 December 2019 were submitted from 659 cities across 51 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 88 | 9.4% |
| Texas | 85 | 9.1% |
| Florida | 70 | 7.5% |
| New York | 58 | 6.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 4.9% |
| Ohio | 38 | 4.1% |
| New Jersey | 35 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 33 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 30 | 3.2% |
| Arizona | 26 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 416 | 44.6% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 721 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 721 | 77.4% |
| Internet | 110 | 11.8% |
| TV | 82 | 8.8% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
721 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 543 | 75.3% |
| Billing | 74 | 10.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 3.9% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 2.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.3% |
| 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 Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 40.0% |
| Availability | 37 | 33.6% |
| Speed | 13 | 11.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.5% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.5% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 52.4% |
| Availability | 24 | 29.3% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 6.1% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
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.