FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 March 2020
Introduction
On Monday, 30 March 2020, 610 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 240 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 47 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 610
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (243)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (64)
Where the complaints came from
Across 450 cities in 47 states and territories, a total of 610 complaints were recorded on 30 March 2020. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 64 | 10.5% |
| Texas | 51 | 8.4% |
| Florida | 47 | 7.7% |
| Illinois | 37 | 6.1% |
| New York | 29 | 4.8% |
| North Carolina | 28 | 4.6% |
| Colorado | 24 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 19 | 3.1% |
| Oregon | 19 | 3.1% |
| Ohio | 18 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 268 | 43.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 365 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 365 | 59.8% |
| Internet | 145 | 23.8% |
| TV | 84 | 13.8% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.8% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
365 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 59.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 243 | 66.6% |
| Billing | 51 | 14.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 15 | 4.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 3.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.3% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
145 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 61 | 42.1% |
| Availability | 46 | 31.7% |
| Speed | 27 | 18.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 37 | 44.0% |
| Availability | 30 | 35.7% |
| Indecency | 6 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.4% |
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.