FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 April 2020
Introduction
A total of 297 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Saturday, 18 April 2020, complaint volume fell from 709 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 44 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 118 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 297
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (118)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (33)
Where the complaints came from
Across 246 cities in 44 states and territories, a total of 297 complaints were recorded on 18 April 2020. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 33 | 11.1% |
| Florida | 28 | 9.4% |
| Texas | 26 | 8.8% |
| Arizona | 22 | 7.4% |
| New Jersey | 18 | 6.1% |
| New York | 18 | 6.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 17 | 5.7% |
| Georgia | 12 | 4.0% |
| North Carolina | 10 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 10 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 103 | 34.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 4 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 166 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 166 | 55.9% |
| Internet | 76 | 25.6% |
| TV | 45 | 15.2% |
| Radio | 10 | 3.4% |
Phone complaints
166 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 55.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 118 | 71.1% |
| Billing | 18 | 10.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 5.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 3.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 4 | 2.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.6% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Interference (including signal jammers) among the most common.
Internet complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 30 | 39.5% |
| Billing | 20 | 26.3% |
| Speed | 17 | 22.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
45 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 44.4% |
| Availability | 14 | 31.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 8.9% |
| Indecency | 3 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.2% |
| Interference | 1 | 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.