FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 January 2020
Introduction
On 31 January 2020, 962 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 1030 complaints the previous day. 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 672 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 962
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (672)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (92)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 962 complaints were recorded on 31 January 2020, with reports originating from 641 cities in 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 | 92 | 9.6% |
| Texas | 83 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 68 | 7.1% |
| Ohio | 54 | 5.6% |
| Illinois | 42 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 4.2% |
| New York | 37 | 3.8% |
| Virginia | 37 | 3.8% |
| Colorado | 34 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 32 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 443 | 46.0% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 779 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 779 | 81.0% |
| TV | 87 | 9.0% |
| Internet | 81 | 8.4% |
| Radio | 10 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
779 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 672 | 86.3% |
| Billing | 51 | 6.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 16 | 2.1% |
| Equipment | 13 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
87 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 44.8% |
| Availability | 34 | 39.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.4% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
81 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 44.4% |
| Availability | 12 | 14.8% |
| Speed | 12 | 14.8% |
| Equipment | 11 | 13.6% |
| Interference | 5 | 6.2% |
| Privacy | 5 | 6.2% |
Billing represented the largest share of complaints recorded in this category, with lower volumes reported across the remaining issues.
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.