FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 January 2020
Introduction
On Friday, 17 January 2020, 974 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 973 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 609 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 974
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (609)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (115)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 17 January 2020 show 974 complaints originating from 667 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 115 | 11.8% |
| Texas | 91 | 9.3% |
| Florida | 89 | 9.1% |
| New York | 53 | 5.4% |
| North Carolina | 45 | 4.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 39 | 4.0% |
| Arizona | 38 | 3.9% |
| Colorado | 33 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 31 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 399 | 41.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 748 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 748 | 76.8% |
| Internet | 111 | 11.4% |
| TV | 91 | 9.3% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.8% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
748 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 609 | 81.4% |
| Billing | 49 | 6.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 21 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided 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
111 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 51.4% |
| Availability | 33 | 29.7% |
| Speed | 11 | 9.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.6% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 51 | 56.0% |
| Availability | 22 | 24.2% |
| Indecency | 7 | 7.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.3% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.1% |
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.