FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 May 2020
Introduction
On 23 May 2020, 334 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 673 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 43 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 150 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 334
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (150)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (55)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 334 complaints were recorded on 23 May 2020, with reports originating from 255 cities in 43 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 | 55 | 16.5% |
| Texas | 38 | 11.4% |
| Florida | 22 | 6.6% |
| New York | 16 | 4.8% |
| North Carolina | 15 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 14 | 4.2% |
| Virginia | 14 | 4.2% |
| Washington | 13 | 3.9% |
| Massachusetts | 12 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 12 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 122 | 36.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 201 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 201 | 60.2% |
| Internet | 84 | 25.1% |
| TV | 43 | 12.9% |
| Radio | 3 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
201 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 60.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 150 | 74.6% |
| Billing | 13 | 6.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 7 | 3.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 3.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 3.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 5 | 2.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.0% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 36.9% |
| Availability | 26 | 31.0% |
| Speed | 17 | 20.2% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 15 | 34.9% |
| Billing | 14 | 32.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 11.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 9.3% |
| Indecency | 3 | 7.0% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.3% |
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.