FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 March 2020
Introduction
On Sunday, 15 March 2020, 267 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 336 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 42 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 125 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 267
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (125)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (26)
Where the complaints came from
The 267 complaints recorded on 15 March 2020 were submitted from 206 cities across 42 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 26 | 9.7% |
| Iowa | 20 | 7.5% |
| Florida | 19 | 7.1% |
| Georgia | 14 | 5.2% |
| New York | 13 | 4.9% |
| Ohio | 12 | 4.5% |
| Texas | 12 | 4.5% |
| Virginia | 12 | 4.5% |
| Oregon | 11 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 11 | 4.1% |
| Other states and territories | 117 | 43.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 164 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 164 | 61.4% |
| Internet | 60 | 22.5% |
| TV | 40 | 15.0% |
| Radio | 2 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
164 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 61.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 125 | 76.2% |
| Billing | 15 | 9.1% |
| Equipment | 6 | 3.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 4 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 2.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.6% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
60 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 43.3% |
| Availability | 22 | 36.7% |
| Speed | 8 | 13.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.7% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.7% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
40 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 13 | 32.5% |
| Availability | 9 | 22.5% |
| Indecency | 7 | 17.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 17.5% |
| Equipment | 3 | 7.5% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.5% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Indecency 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.