FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 October 2020
Introduction
A total of 970 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 19 October 2020, complaint volume increased from 343 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 53 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 575 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 970
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (575)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (119)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 970 complaints were recorded on 19 October 2020, with reports originating from 655 cities in 53 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 119 | 12.3% |
| Texas | 80 | 8.2% |
| New York | 67 | 6.9% |
| Florida | 57 | 5.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 38 | 3.9% |
| Colorado | 35 | 3.6% |
| Louisiana | 34 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 32 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 32 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 31 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 443 | 45.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 699 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 699 | 72.1% |
| Internet | 169 | 17.4% |
| TV | 82 | 8.5% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 7 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
699 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 575 | 82.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 40 | 5.7% |
| Billing | 34 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 14 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
169 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 74 | 43.8% |
| Billing | 44 | 26.0% |
| Speed | 23 | 13.6% |
| Equipment | 13 | 7.7% |
| Interference | 10 | 5.9% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.0% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 43.9% |
| Availability | 16 | 19.5% |
| Indecency | 15 | 18.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 9.8% |
| Equipment | 6 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.