FCC Consumer Complaints – 8 March 2020
Introduction
On 8 March 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 257 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 323 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 40 states and territories, with Iowa reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 129 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 257
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (129)
- Most reported state/territory
- Iowa (27)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 8 March 2020 show 257 complaints originating from 196 cities across 40 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 27 | 10.5% |
| California | 22 | 8.6% |
| Texas | 18 | 7.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 17 | 6.6% |
| Washington | 17 | 6.6% |
| Florida | 16 | 6.2% |
| Virginia | 15 | 5.8% |
| New York | 13 | 5.1% |
| North Carolina | 10 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 9 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 93 | 36.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 163 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 163 | 63.4% |
| Internet | 44 | 17.1% |
| TV | 39 | 15.2% |
| Radio | 10 | 3.9% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
163 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 63.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 129 | 79.1% |
| Billing | 12 | 7.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.1% |
| Equipment | 4 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 1 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.6% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) and Privacy among the most common.
Internet complaints
44 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 16 | 36.4% |
| Billing | 15 | 34.1% |
| Speed | 7 | 15.9% |
| Privacy | 5 | 11.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.3% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 15 | 38.5% |
| Availability | 8 | 20.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 17.9% |
| Indecency | 5 | 12.8% |
| Equipment | 2 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 5.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials among the most common.
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.