FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 May 2020

Introduction

On 31 May 2020, 258 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 295 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 42 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 104 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
258
States & territories reporting
42
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (104)
Most reported state/territory
California (28)

Where the complaints came from

Reports recorded on 31 May 2020 show 258 complaints originating from 191 cities across 42 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location 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 28 10.9%
Texas 18 7.0%
Kentucky 17 6.6%
Florida 16 6.2%
New York 14 5.4%
Alabama 13 5.0%
Illinois 13 5.0%
North Carolina 11 4.3%
Colorado 10 3.9%
New Jersey 10 3.9%
Other states and territories 108 41.9%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 143 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 143 55.4%
Internet 67 26.0%
TV 39 15.1%
Radio 6 2.3%
Emergency 2 0.8%
Accessibility 1 0.4%

Phone complaints

143 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 55.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 104 72.7%
Billing 12 8.4%
Equipment 8 5.6%
Availability (including rural call completion) 7 4.9%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 7 4.9%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 3 2.1%
Privacy 1 0.7%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 1 0.7%

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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).

Internet complaints

67 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 26.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 31 46.3%
Billing 17 25.4%
Speed 9 13.4%
Equipment 4 6.0%
Privacy 4 6.0%
Interference 2 3.0%

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

TV complaints

39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 14 35.9%
Billing 10 25.6%
Indecency 10 25.6%
Loud Commercials 5 12.8%

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

Page last updated: 1 June 2020 with FCC complaints data from 31 May 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.