FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 December 2019
Introduction
On 21 December 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 300 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 757 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 41 states and territories, with Ohio reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 168 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 300
- States & territories reporting
- 41
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (168)
- Most reported state/territory
- Ohio (33)
Where the complaints came from
The 300 complaints recorded on 21 December 2019 were submitted from 221 cities across 41 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 33 | 11.0% |
| California | 27 | 9.0% |
| Texas | 24 | 8.0% |
| Florida | 18 | 6.0% |
| Kentucky | 17 | 5.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 5.3% |
| Indiana | 14 | 4.7% |
| Michigan | 14 | 4.7% |
| Massachusetts | 12 | 4.0% |
| New York | 12 | 4.0% |
| Other states and territories | 113 | 37.7% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 23 different cities.
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 206 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 206 | 68.7% |
| TV | 44 | 14.7% |
| Internet | 41 | 13.7% |
| Radio | 8 | 2.7% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
206 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 168 | 81.6% |
| Billing | 14 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 2.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 4 | 1.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.9% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Privacy.
TV complaints
44 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 19 | 43.2% |
| Billing | 16 | 36.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 15.9% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
41 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 19 | 46.3% |
| Billing | 12 | 29.3% |
| Interference | 3 | 7.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 7.3% |
| Speed | 3 | 7.3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, 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.