FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 April 2020
Introduction
On 12 April 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 221 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 314 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 42 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
- 221
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (63)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (33)
Where the complaints came from
The 221 complaints recorded on 12 April 2020 were submitted from 168 cities across 42 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 33 | 14.9% |
| Ohio | 23 | 10.4% |
| Texas | 21 | 9.5% |
| Maryland | 10 | 4.5% |
| New York | 10 | 4.5% |
| Arizona | 8 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 8 | 3.6% |
| Florida | 7 | 3.2% |
| Illinois | 7 | 3.2% |
| New Jersey | 7 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 87 | 39.4% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 106 complaints. This was followed by Internet, which accounted for 67 complaints.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 106 | 48.0% |
| Internet | 67 | 30.3% |
| TV | 37 | 16.7% |
| Radio | 8 | 3.6% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.9% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
106 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 48.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 63 | 59.4% |
| Billing | 23 | 21.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 3 | 2.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.9% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill).
Internet complaints
67 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 30.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 23 | 34.3% |
| Availability | 21 | 31.3% |
| Billing | 9 | 13.4% |
| Equipment | 5 | 7.5% |
| Interference | 5 | 7.5% |
| Privacy | 4 | 6.0% |
Speed and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
37 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 16 | 43.2% |
| Billing | 12 | 32.4% |
| Indecency | 3 | 8.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 8.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.7% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.