FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 March 2020
Introduction
On 2 March 2020, 837 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 287 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 470 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 837
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (470)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (92)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 837 complaints were recorded on 2 March 2020, with reports originating from 591 cities in 49 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 92 | 11.0% |
| Texas | 70 | 8.4% |
| Florida | 63 | 7.5% |
| New York | 51 | 6.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | 4.2% |
| Michigan | 32 | 3.8% |
| Washington | 32 | 3.8% |
| Virginia | 29 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 28 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 27 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 377 | 45.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 612 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 612 | 73.1% |
| TV | 116 | 13.9% |
| Internet | 91 | 10.9% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.6% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.6% |
Phone complaints
612 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 470 | 76.8% |
| Billing | 51 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 29 | 4.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 4.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.5% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
TV complaints
116 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 45.7% |
| Availability | 26 | 22.4% |
| Indecency | 21 | 18.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.7% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 37 | 40.7% |
| Availability | 29 | 31.9% |
| Speed | 13 | 14.3% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.5% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.2% |
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.