FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 December 2019
Introduction
On 26 December 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 547 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 110 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 547
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (235)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (59)
Where the complaints came from
On 26 December 2019, the 547 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 403 cities across 49 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 59 | 10.8% |
| Florida | 46 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 44 | 8.0% |
| New York | 39 | 7.1% |
| Iowa | 25 | 4.6% |
| Ohio | 25 | 4.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 24 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 20 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 19 | 3.5% |
| West Virginia | 18 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 225 | 41.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 383 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 383 | 70.0% |
| Internet | 78 | 14.3% |
| TV | 73 | 13.3% |
| Radio | 10 | 1.8% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
383 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 235 | 61.4% |
| Billing | 54 | 14.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 33 | 8.6% |
| Equipment | 33 | 8.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 3.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 3 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.5% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
78 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 38.5% |
| Availability | 25 | 32.1% |
| Speed | 14 | 17.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 5.1% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
73 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 54.8% |
| Availability | 19 | 26.0% |
| Indecency | 5 | 6.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.7% |
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.