FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 April 2020

Introduction

On Monday, 27 April 2020, 697 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 239 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 47 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 295 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
697
States & territories reporting
47
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (295)
Most reported state/territory
California (72)

Where the complaints came from

The 697 complaints recorded on 27 April 2020 originated from 523 cities across 47 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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
California 72 10.3%
Texas 66 9.5%
Florida 50 7.2%
Ohio 43 6.2%
New York 41 5.9%
Georgia 30 4.3%
Pennsylvania 30 4.3%
North Carolina 29 4.2%
Illinois 24 3.4%
New Jersey 22 3.2%
Other states and territories 287 41.2%

What the complaints were about

A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 438 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 438 62.8%
Internet 149 21.4%
TV 90 12.9%
Radio 15 2.2%
Accessibility 4 0.6%
Emergency 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

438 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 62.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 295 67.4%
Billing 57 13.0%
Availability (including rural call completion) 25 5.7%
Equipment 19 4.3%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 17 3.9%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 8 1.8%
Privacy 8 1.8%
Junk Faxes 6 1.4%
Interference (including signal jammers) 3 0.7%

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

149 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 70 47.0%
Billing 43 28.9%
Speed 20 13.4%
Interference 9 6.0%
Privacy 5 3.4%
Equipment 2 1.3%

Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

TV complaints

90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 38 42.2%
Availability 20 22.2%
Indecency 12 13.3%
Equipment 10 11.1%
Loud Commercials 5 5.6%
Interference 4 4.4%
Privacy 1 1.1%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Page last updated: 28 April 2020 with FCC complaints data from 27 April 2020.

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.