FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 December 2019
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 905 consumer complaints on 17 December 2019 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 683 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with Texas recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 505 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 905
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (505)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (94)
Where the complaints came from
Across 637 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 905 complaints were recorded on 17 December 2019. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 94 | 10.4% |
| California | 86 | 9.5% |
| Florida | 69 | 7.6% |
| New York | 65 | 7.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 4.6% |
| Indiana | 38 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 32 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 29 | 3.2% |
| North Carolina | 28 | 3.1% |
| Michigan | 25 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 395 | 43.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 678 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 678 | 74.9% |
| Internet | 116 | 12.8% |
| TV | 103 | 11.4% |
| Radio | 6 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
678 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 505 | 74.5% |
| Billing | 70 | 10.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 26 | 3.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 21 | 3.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.9% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
116 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 40.5% |
| Availability | 46 | 39.7% |
| Privacy | 7 | 6.0% |
| Speed | 7 | 6.0% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.4% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 48 | 46.6% |
| Availability | 41 | 39.8% |
| Indecency | 5 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 1.9% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.