FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 November 2020
Introduction
On 11 November 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 941 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1959 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 499 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 941
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (499)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (138)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 11 November 2020 show 941 complaints originating from 664 cities across 52 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 138 | 14.7% |
| Florida | 88 | 9.4% |
| Texas | 76 | 8.1% |
| New York | 45 | 4.8% |
| North Carolina | 37 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 33 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 29 | 3.1% |
| New Jersey | 27 | 2.9% |
| Maryland | 24 | 2.6% |
| Indiana | 22 | 2.3% |
| Other states and territories | 422 | 44.8% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 600 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 600 | 63.8% |
| TV | 195 | 20.7% |
| Internet | 121 | 12.9% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.7% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
600 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 63.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 499 | 83.2% |
| Billing | 27 | 4.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 23 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 16 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 6 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.7% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
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 Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
195 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 69 | 35.4% |
| Availability | 50 | 25.6% |
| Interference | 38 | 19.5% |
| Billing | 21 | 10.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 3 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.5% |
Indecency and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
121 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 55 | 45.5% |
| Billing | 30 | 24.8% |
| Speed | 14 | 11.6% |
| Interference | 10 | 8.3% |
| Privacy | 7 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.1% |
Availability and Billing 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.