FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 May 2020
Introduction
A total of 599 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Friday, 1 May 2020, complaint volume fell from 714 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 48 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 599
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (244)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (77)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 599 complaints were recorded on 1 May 2020, with reports originating from 479 cities in 48 states and territories. 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 | 77 | 12.9% |
| New York | 51 | 8.5% |
| Florida | 47 | 7.8% |
| Texas | 46 | 7.7% |
| Ohio | 25 | 4.2% |
| Arizona | 21 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 21 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 20 | 3.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 18 | 3.0% |
| Washington | 18 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 254 | 42.4% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 365 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 365 | 60.9% |
| Internet | 136 | 22.7% |
| TV | 86 | 14.4% |
| Radio | 9 | 1.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
365 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 60.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 244 | 66.8% |
| Billing | 56 | 15.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 18 | 4.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 3.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
136 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 56 | 41.2% |
| Billing | 41 | 30.1% |
| Speed | 22 | 16.2% |
| Interference | 8 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.9% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 61.6% |
| Availability | 21 | 24.4% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.3% |
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.