FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 January 2020
Introduction
A total of 1072 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 22 January 2020, this represented an increase from the 966 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 665 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1072
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (665)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (102)
Where the complaints came from
Across 750 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1072 complaints were recorded on 22 January 2020. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. 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 | 102 | 9.5% |
| Florida | 86 | 8.0% |
| Texas | 83 | 7.7% |
| New York | 59 | 5.5% |
| New Jersey | 53 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 48 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 40 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 38 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 38 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 38 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 486 | 45.3% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 833 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 833 | 77.7% |
| TV | 117 | 10.9% |
| Internet | 109 | 10.2% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
833 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 665 | 79.8% |
| Billing | 65 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 31 | 3.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 67 | 57.3% |
| Availability | 34 | 29.1% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.8% |
| Indecency | 5 | 4.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 2.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 45.9% |
| Availability | 28 | 25.7% |
| Speed | 10 | 9.2% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.3% |
| Privacy | 8 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.6% |
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.