FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 August 2020

Introduction

A total of 1134 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 6 August 2020, this represented an increase from the 1095 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 675 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1134
States & territories reporting
50
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (675)
Most reported state/territory
California (111)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 1134 complaints were recorded on 6 August 2020, with reports originating from 746 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. 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
California 111 9.8%
Texas 96 8.5%
New York 95 8.4%
Florida 86 7.6%
North Carolina 69 6.1%
New Jersey 50 4.4%
Pennsylvania 41 3.6%
Georgia 40 3.5%
Ohio 35 3.1%
Michigan 33 2.9%
Other states and territories 477 42.1%

Location highlight

California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 79 different cities.

What the complaints were about

A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 821 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 821 72.4%
Internet 211 18.6%
TV 85 7.5%
Radio 13 1.1%
Emergency 2 0.2%
Accessibility 1 0.1%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

821 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 675 82.2%
Availability (including rural call completion) 45 5.5%
Billing 35 4.3%
Equipment 35 4.3%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 12 1.5%
Interference (including signal jammers) 8 1.0%
Privacy 8 1.0%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 2 0.2%
Junk Faxes 1 0.1%

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 Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.

Internet complaints

211 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 106 50.2%
Billing 48 22.7%
Speed 25 11.8%
Interference 16 7.6%
Equipment 9 4.3%
Privacy 7 3.3%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

TV complaints

85 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 31 36.5%
Billing 30 35.3%
Indecency 9 10.6%
Equipment 8 9.4%
Loud Commercials 5 5.9%
Interference 2 2.4%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Page last updated: 7 August 2020 with FCC complaints data from 6 August 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.