FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 December 2019
Introduction
On Monday, 30 December 2019, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 615 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 238 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 615
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (268)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (73)
Where the complaints came from
On 30 December 2019, the 615 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 449 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 73 | 11.9% |
| Florida | 44 | 7.2% |
| Texas | 44 | 7.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 38 | 6.2% |
| North Carolina | 32 | 5.2% |
| Ohio | 32 | 5.2% |
| Illinois | 30 | 4.9% |
| New York | 25 | 4.1% |
| Arizona | 18 | 2.9% |
| Virginia | 18 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 259 | 42.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 410 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 410 | 66.7% |
| Internet | 107 | 17.4% |
| TV | 86 | 14.0% |
| Radio | 9 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
410 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 268 | 65.4% |
| Billing | 57 | 13.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 6.6% |
| Equipment | 27 | 6.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 8 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 49 | 45.8% |
| Billing | 35 | 32.7% |
| Speed | 12 | 11.2% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.6% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 59.3% |
| Availability | 14 | 16.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 7 | 8.1% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, 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.