FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 September 2020
Introduction
A total of 497 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 12 September 2020, this was lower than the 1095 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 48 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 229 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 497
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (229)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (47)
Where the complaints came from
Across 361 cities in 48 states and territories, a total of 497 complaints were recorded on 12 September 2020. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 47 | 9.5% |
| Texas | 46 | 9.3% |
| Florida | 40 | 8.0% |
| Louisiana | 36 | 7.2% |
| New York | 33 | 6.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 23 | 4.6% |
| Virginia | 19 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 18 | 3.6% |
| Washington | 18 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 15 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 202 | 40.6% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 291 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 291 | 58.6% |
| Internet | 114 | 22.9% |
| TV | 81 | 16.3% |
| Radio | 9 | 1.8% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
291 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 58.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 229 | 78.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 6.9% |
| Billing | 15 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 9 | 3.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 2.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 5 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.3% |
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 Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 54 | 47.4% |
| Billing | 19 | 16.7% |
| Speed | 18 | 15.8% |
| Interference | 10 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 7.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.5% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
81 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 28 | 34.6% |
| Availability | 20 | 24.7% |
| Billing | 18 | 22.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 8.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.5% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Indecency, Availability and Billing.
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.