FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 February 2020
Introduction
On 16 February 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 212 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 370 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 40 states and territories, with no single location clearly ahead of the others. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 212
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (71)
Where the complaints came from
Across 186 cities in 40 states and territories, a total of 212 complaints were recorded on 16 February 2020. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant 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 | 23 | 10.8% |
| Texas | 23 | 10.8% |
| Florida | 12 | 5.7% |
| Georgia | 12 | 5.7% |
| New Jersey | 10 | 4.7% |
| Maryland | 9 | 4.2% |
| New York | 9 | 4.2% |
| Michigan | 8 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 8 | 3.8% |
| Virginia | 8 | 3.8% |
| Other states and territories | 90 | 42.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 4 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 104 complaints. This was followed by TV, which accounted for 56 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 104 | 49.1% |
| TV | 56 | 26.4% |
| Internet | 45 | 21.2% |
| Radio | 7 | 3.3% |
Phone complaints
104 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 49.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 71 | 68.3% |
| Billing | 13 | 12.5% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 3.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 2 | 1.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 1.0% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 1.0% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
TV complaints
56 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 26.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 48.2% |
| Availability | 16 | 28.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 14.3% |
| Indecency | 5 | 8.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
45 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 55.6% |
| Speed | 7 | 15.6% |
| Availability | 6 | 13.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Speed, 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.