FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 May 2020
Introduction
On Monday, 4 May 2020, 659 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 239 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with Texas recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 659
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (271)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (65)
Where the complaints came from
On 4 May 2020, the 659 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 499 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 65 | 9.9% |
| Florida | 51 | 7.7% |
| California | 50 | 7.6% |
| New York | 48 | 7.3% |
| Ohio | 32 | 4.9% |
| North Carolina | 29 | 4.4% |
| New Jersey | 29 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 26 | 3.9% |
| Washington | 20 | 3.0% |
| Georgia | 18 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 284 | 43.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 396 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 396 | 60.1% |
| Internet | 149 | 22.6% |
| TV | 89 | 13.5% |
| Radio | 15 | 2.3% |
| Emergency | 6 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.6% |
Phone complaints
396 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 60.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 271 | 68.4% |
| Billing | 43 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 24 | 6.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 5.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 3.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 5 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.8% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
149 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 64 | 43.0% |
| Billing | 50 | 33.6% |
| Speed | 18 | 12.1% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.4% |
| Interference | 7 | 4.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.3% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 47.2% |
| Availability | 25 | 28.1% |
| Indecency | 11 | 12.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability 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.