FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 April 2020
Introduction
On Thursday, 9 April 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 687 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 736 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
- 687
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (281)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (96)
Where the complaints came from
On 9 April 2020, the 687 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 501 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 96 | 14.0% |
| Florida | 57 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 49 | 7.1% |
| New York | 35 | 5.1% |
| Georgia | 32 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 30 | 4.4% |
| Arizona | 29 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 29 | 4.2% |
| North Carolina | 23 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 20 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 286 | 41.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 404 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 404 | 58.8% |
| Internet | 163 | 23.7% |
| TV | 101 | 14.7% |
| Radio | 15 | 2.2% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
404 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 58.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 281 | 69.6% |
| Billing | 36 | 8.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 5.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 20 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 18 | 4.5% |
| Privacy | 13 | 3.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.7% |
| Rural Call Completion | 2 | 0.5% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
163 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 63 | 38.7% |
| Availability | 57 | 35.0% |
| Speed | 28 | 17.2% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.1% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 54.5% |
| Availability | 30 | 29.7% |
| Indecency | 8 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.0% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.0% |
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.