FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 March 2020
Introduction
A total of 215 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Sunday, 22 March 2020, this was lower than the 291 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 38 states and territories, with California recording the largest share of reports at 34 complaints. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 215
- States & territories reporting
- 38
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (63)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (34)
Where the complaints came from
Across 174 cities in 38 states and territories, a total of 215 complaints were recorded on 22 March 2020. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 34 | 15.8% |
| Florida | 17 | 7.9% |
| New York | 17 | 7.9% |
| Texas | 12 | 5.6% |
| New Jersey | 11 | 5.1% |
| Arizona | 10 | 4.7% |
| Illinois | 10 | 4.7% |
| North Carolina | 9 | 4.2% |
| Indiana | 7 | 3.3% |
| Kentucky | 7 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 81 | 37.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 105 reports. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 68 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 105 | 48.8% |
| Internet | 68 | 31.6% |
| TV | 34 | 15.8% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 1.4% |
| Radio | 3 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
105 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 48.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 63 | 60.0% |
| Billing | 17 | 16.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 3.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 1.0% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 1.0% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
68 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 31.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 39.7% |
| Availability | 17 | 25.0% |
| Speed | 15 | 22.1% |
| Privacy | 5 | 7.4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
34 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 15 | 44.1% |
| Availability | 10 | 29.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 14.7% |
| Indecency | 3 | 8.8% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.9% |
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.