FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 December 2019
Introduction
A total of 298 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 28 December 2019, complaint volume fell from 589 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 43 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 39 complaints. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 298
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (117)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (39)
Where the complaints came from
Across 239 cities in 43 states and territories, a total of 298 complaints were recorded on 28 December 2019. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 39 | 13.1% |
| New York | 19 | 6.4% |
| Florida | 18 | 6.0% |
| Texas | 16 | 5.4% |
| Georgia | 15 | 5.0% |
| Illinois | 15 | 5.0% |
| Ohio | 14 | 4.7% |
| New Jersey | 10 | 3.4% |
| Washington | 10 | 3.4% |
| Arizona | 9 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 133 | 44.6% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 29 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 4 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 176 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 176 | 59.1% |
| Internet | 60 | 20.1% |
| TV | 60 | 20.1% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.7% |
Phone complaints
176 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 59.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 117 | 66.5% |
| Billing | 22 | 12.5% |
| Equipment | 15 | 8.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 4.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 6 | 3.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 2.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.6% |
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, Equipment and Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill).
Internet complaints
60 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 21 | 35.0% |
| Billing | 21 | 35.0% |
| Speed | 9 | 15.0% |
| Interference | 4 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 3 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.3% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
60 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 29 | 48.3% |
| Billing | 18 | 30.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 10.0% |
| Indecency | 4 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.0% |
Availability and Billing 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.