FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 May 2020
Introduction
On Sunday, 17 May 2020, 226 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 368 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 43 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 89 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 226
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (89)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (24)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 226 complaints were recorded on 17 May 2020, with reports originating from 174 cities in 43 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 24 | 10.6% |
| Kentucky | 17 | 7.5% |
| Texas | 17 | 7.5% |
| Florida | 14 | 6.2% |
| Illinois | 13 | 5.8% |
| New York | 13 | 5.8% |
| Ohio | 13 | 5.8% |
| New Jersey | 10 | 4.4% |
| North Carolina | 9 | 4.0% |
| Washington | 8 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 88 | 38.9% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 122 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 122 | 54.0% |
| Internet | 60 | 26.5% |
| TV | 33 | 14.6% |
| Radio | 8 | 3.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
122 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 54.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 89 | 73.0% |
| Billing | 8 | 6.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 5.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 4.1% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 2.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.6% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
60 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 26.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 22 | 36.7% |
| Speed | 16 | 26.7% |
| Billing | 10 | 16.7% |
| Interference | 8 | 13.3% |
| Equipment | 4 | 6.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Speed, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
33 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 14 | 42.4% |
| Billing | 9 | 27.3% |
| Indecency | 6 | 18.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 12.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, 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.