FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 April 2020
Introduction
On Tuesday, 7 April 2020, 676 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 654 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 676
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (264)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (88)
Where the complaints came from
Across 502 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 676 complaints were recorded on 7 April 2020. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 88 | 13.0% |
| Texas | 60 | 8.9% |
| New York | 53 | 7.8% |
| Florida | 52 | 7.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | 5.2% |
| Ohio | 23 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 21 | 3.1% |
| Illinois | 19 | 2.8% |
| Massachusetts | 19 | 2.8% |
| North Carolina | 19 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 284 | 42.0% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 373 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 373 | 55.2% |
| Internet | 179 | 26.5% |
| TV | 100 | 14.8% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.9% |
| Accessibility | 7 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.6% |
Phone complaints
373 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 55.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 264 | 70.8% |
| Billing | 47 | 12.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 5.1% |
| Equipment | 18 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.3% |
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
179 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 26.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 65 | 36.3% |
| Availability | 60 | 33.5% |
| Speed | 30 | 16.8% |
| Interference | 12 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 6 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 66 | 66.0% |
| Availability | 14 | 14.0% |
| Indecency | 12 | 12.0% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 2.0% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
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.