FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 March 2020
Introduction
A total of 291 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Saturday, 21 March 2020, complaint volume fell from 492 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 43 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
- 291
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (125)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (36)
Where the complaints came from
Across 239 cities in 43 states and territories, a total of 291 complaints were recorded on 21 March 2020. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 | 36 | 12.4% |
| Florida | 27 | 9.3% |
| Texas | 27 | 9.3% |
| New York | 20 | 6.9% |
| Maryland | 13 | 4.5% |
| Ohio | 13 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 13 | 4.5% |
| Arizona | 9 | 3.1% |
| Georgia | 8 | 2.7% |
| Illinois | 7 | 2.4% |
| Other states and territories | 118 | 40.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 29 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 169 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 169 | 58.1% |
| Internet | 63 | 21.6% |
| TV | 47 | 16.2% |
| Radio | 7 | 2.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.7% |
Phone complaints
169 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 58.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 125 | 74.0% |
| Billing | 15 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 13 | 7.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 3.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 3 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.2% |
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 Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
63 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 38.1% |
| Availability | 23 | 36.5% |
| Speed | 8 | 12.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.2% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
47 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 17 | 36.2% |
| Availability | 13 | 27.7% |
| Indecency | 9 | 19.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 12.8% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less 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.