FCC Consumer Complaints – 8 October 2020
Introduction
On 8 October 2020, 1040 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 1123 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 672 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1040
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (672)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (125)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1040 complaints were recorded on 8 October 2020, with reports originating from 684 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 125 | 12.0% |
| Texas | 104 | 10.0% |
| Florida | 75 | 7.2% |
| New York | 67 | 6.4% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 4.0% |
| Washington | 42 | 4.0% |
| North Carolina | 33 | 3.2% |
| Colorado | 31 | 3.0% |
| Georgia | 31 | 3.0% |
| Ohio | 31 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 454 | 43.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 787 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 787 | 75.7% |
| Internet | 145 | 13.9% |
| TV | 81 | 7.8% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.9% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
787 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 672 | 85.4% |
| Billing | 34 | 4.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 27 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
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 Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
145 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 56 | 38.6% |
| Billing | 38 | 26.2% |
| Speed | 17 | 11.7% |
| Interference | 14 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 10 | 6.9% |
| Privacy | 10 | 6.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
81 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 37.0% |
| Availability | 21 | 25.9% |
| Indecency | 11 | 13.6% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 9.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, 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.