FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 October 2020
Introduction
A total of 490 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 17 October 2020, complaint volume fell from 1108 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 46 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 288 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 490
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (288)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (72)
Where the complaints came from
Across 362 cities in 46 states and territories, a total of 490 complaints were recorded on 17 October 2020. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 72 | 14.7% |
| Texas | 43 | 8.8% |
| Florida | 35 | 7.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 25 | 5.1% |
| Georgia | 21 | 4.3% |
| New York | 21 | 4.3% |
| North Carolina | 16 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 15 | 3.1% |
| Minnesota | 15 | 3.1% |
| Washington | 15 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 212 | 43.3% |
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 346 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 346 | 70.6% |
| Internet | 81 | 16.5% |
| TV | 53 | 10.8% |
| Radio | 7 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
346 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 288 | 83.2% |
| Billing | 18 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 12 | 3.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 2.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 6 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Interference (including signal jammers) among the most common.
Internet complaints
81 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 28 | 34.6% |
| Billing | 20 | 24.7% |
| Speed | 12 | 14.8% |
| Interference | 9 | 11.1% |
| Privacy | 7 | 8.6% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.2% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Billing and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
53 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 16 | 30.2% |
| Availability | 10 | 18.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 18.9% |
| Indecency | 7 | 13.2% |
| Equipment | 5 | 9.4% |
| Interference | 5 | 9.4% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials among the most common.
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.