FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 March 2020
Introduction
On Tuesday, 31 March 2020, 771 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 610 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with Texas 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
- 771
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (336)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (94)
Where the complaints came from
On 31 March 2020, the 771 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 522 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 94 | 12.2% |
| California | 67 | 8.7% |
| New York | 51 | 6.6% |
| Florida | 46 | 6.0% |
| Ohio | 40 | 5.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 38 | 4.9% |
| North Carolina | 27 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 26 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 25 | 3.2% |
| Arizona | 24 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 326 | 42.3% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 461 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 461 | 59.8% |
| Internet | 200 | 25.9% |
| TV | 93 | 12.1% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
461 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 59.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 336 | 72.9% |
| Billing | 48 | 10.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 19 | 4.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 9 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
200 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 82 | 41.0% |
| Availability | 77 | 38.5% |
| Speed | 27 | 13.5% |
| Interference | 7 | 3.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 53.8% |
| Availability | 25 | 26.9% |
| Indecency | 10 | 10.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.2% |
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.