FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 March 2020
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 336 consumer complaints on 14 March 2020 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 763 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 41 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 170 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 336
- States & territories reporting
- 41
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (170)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (37)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 14 March 2020 show 336 complaints originating from 258 cities across 41 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 37 | 11.0% |
| Texas | 31 | 9.2% |
| Florida | 26 | 7.7% |
| Michigan | 25 | 7.4% |
| North Carolina | 18 | 5.4% |
| New York | 17 | 5.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 15 | 4.5% |
| Ohio | 14 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 11 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 11 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 131 | 39.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 4 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 216 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 216 | 64.3% |
| Internet | 71 | 21.1% |
| TV | 42 | 12.5% |
| Radio | 7 | 2.1% |
Phone complaints
216 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 170 | 78.7% |
| Billing | 14 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 14 | 6.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 5 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 5 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 2 | 0.9% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
71 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 28 | 39.4% |
| Billing | 23 | 32.4% |
| Speed | 9 | 12.7% |
| Privacy | 6 | 8.5% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.4% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
42 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 47.6% |
| Availability | 8 | 19.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 19.0% |
| Indecency | 5 | 11.9% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.4% |
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.