FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 January 2020
Introduction
On Friday, 10 January 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 883 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 851 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with Texas slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 539 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 883
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (539)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (88)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 883 complaints were recorded on 10 January 2020, with reports originating from 608 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Iowa, where Iowa City accounted for 26 of the 36 complaints recorded in the state.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 88 | 10.0% |
| California | 83 | 9.4% |
| Florida | 67 | 7.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 57 | 6.5% |
| New York | 45 | 5.1% |
| Iowa | 36 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 36 | 4.1% |
| Michigan | 32 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 32 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 31 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 373 | 42.2% |
Location highlights
- Iowa City accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Iowa.
- California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 62 different cities.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 661 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 661 | 74.9% |
| Internet | 101 | 11.4% |
| TV | 99 | 11.2% |
| Radio | 19 | 2.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
661 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 539 | 81.5% |
| Billing | 57 | 8.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 18 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 36 | 35.6% |
| Billing | 30 | 29.7% |
| Interference | 12 | 11.9% |
| Speed | 10 | 9.9% |
| Privacy | 9 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.0% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 54 | 54.5% |
| Availability | 23 | 23.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 10.1% |
| Indecency | 5 | 5.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.0% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.0% |
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.