FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 March 2020
Introduction
On Thursday, 19 March 2020, 720 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 756 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 451 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 720
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (451)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (74)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 19 March 2020 show 720 complaints originating from 512 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large 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 | 74 | 10.3% |
| Texas | 68 | 9.4% |
| Florida | 56 | 7.8% |
| New York | 47 | 6.5% |
| North Carolina | 35 | 4.9% |
| Ohio | 30 | 4.2% |
| Michigan | 25 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 25 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 22 | 3.1% |
| Illinois | 22 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 309 | 42.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 552 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 552 | 76.7% |
| Internet | 97 | 13.5% |
| TV | 61 | 8.5% |
| Radio | 6 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.6% |
Phone complaints
552 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 451 | 81.7% |
| Billing | 52 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 16 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 10 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.4% |
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. 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
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 47 | 48.5% |
| Billing | 35 | 36.1% |
| Speed | 9 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
61 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 41.0% |
| Availability | 22 | 36.1% |
| Indecency | 6 | 9.8% |
| Equipment | 5 | 8.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 3.3% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, 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.