FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 January 2020
Introduction
A total of 948 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 27 January 2020, this represented an increase from the 248 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 588 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 948
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (588)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (88)
Where the complaints came from
The 948 complaints recorded on 27 January 2020 originated from 677 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. 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 | 88 | 9.3% |
| Texas | 75 | 7.9% |
| Florida | 69 | 7.3% |
| New York | 54 | 5.7% |
| North Carolina | 46 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 4.4% |
| Ohio | 37 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 36 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 34 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 34 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 429 | 45.3% |
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 727 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 727 | 76.7% |
| Internet | 101 | 10.7% |
| TV | 97 | 10.2% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.6% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
727 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 588 | 80.9% |
| Billing | 58 | 8.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 18 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 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. 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
101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 41.6% |
| Availability | 30 | 29.7% |
| Speed | 12 | 11.9% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 43 | 44.3% |
| Availability | 33 | 34.0% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 8.2% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.0% |
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.