FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 December 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 353 consumer complaints on Saturday, 14 December 2019 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 773 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 44 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 174 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 353
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (174)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (50)
Where the complaints came from
Across 274 cities in 44 states and territories, a total of 353 complaints were recorded on 14 December 2019. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 50 | 14.2% |
| Texas | 34 | 9.6% |
| Florida | 29 | 8.2% |
| New York | 23 | 6.5% |
| Ohio | 16 | 4.5% |
| Louisiana | 15 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 14 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 14 | 4.0% |
| Arizona | 13 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 12 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 133 | 37.7% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 33 different cities.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 220 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 220 | 62.3% |
| Internet | 75 | 21.2% |
| TV | 45 | 12.7% |
| Radio | 8 | 2.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.8% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.6% |
Phone complaints
220 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 62.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 174 | 79.1% |
| Billing | 16 | 7.3% |
| Equipment | 10 | 4.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 9 | 4.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 3.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.5% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 22 | 29.3% |
| Billing | 22 | 29.3% |
| Privacy | 12 | 16.0% |
| Speed | 12 | 16.0% |
| Interference | 5 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.7% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Billing and Privacy among the most common.
TV complaints
45 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 22 | 48.9% |
| Availability | 10 | 22.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 15.6% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6.7% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.2% |
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.