FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 September 2020
Introduction
A total of 367 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 20 September 2020, this represented a decline from the 455 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 45 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 171 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 367
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (171)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (49)
Where the complaints came from
The 367 complaints recorded on 20 September 2020 originated from 273 cities across 45 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 49 | 13.4% |
| Florida | 30 | 8.2% |
| New York | 30 | 8.2% |
| Texas | 25 | 6.8% |
| Washington | 23 | 6.3% |
| Arizona | 21 | 5.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 19 | 5.2% |
| Ohio | 13 | 3.5% |
| Louisiana | 11 | 3.0% |
| Virginia | 11 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 135 | 36.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 227 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 227 | 61.9% |
| Internet | 75 | 20.4% |
| TV | 50 | 13.6% |
| Radio | 11 | 3.0% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.8% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
227 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 61.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 171 | 75.3% |
| Billing | 19 | 8.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 5.7% |
| Equipment | 8 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 7 | 3.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.4% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 33 | 44.0% |
| Billing | 14 | 18.7% |
| Speed | 12 | 16.0% |
| Interference | 8 | 10.7% |
| Privacy | 5 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
50 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 17 | 34.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 24.0% |
| Billing | 9 | 18.0% |
| Indecency | 5 | 10.0% |
| Privacy | 3 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.0% |
| Interference | 2 | 4.0% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Loud Commercials 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.