FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 November 2020
Introduction
On Monday, 16 November 2020, 920 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 364 complaints the previous day. 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 492 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 920
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (492)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (92)
Where the complaints came from
The 920 complaints recorded on 16 November 2020 originated from 646 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 shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 92 | 10.0% |
| Texas | 88 | 9.6% |
| Florida | 75 | 8.2% |
| New York | 74 | 8.0% |
| New Jersey | 35 | 3.8% |
| Virginia | 34 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 31 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 31 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 31 | 3.4% |
| North Carolina | 30 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 397 | 43.2% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 658 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 658 | 71.5% |
| Internet | 136 | 14.8% |
| TV | 102 | 11.1% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.8% |
| Accessibility | 6 | 0.7% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
658 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 492 | 74.8% |
| Billing | 66 | 10.0% |
| Equipment | 38 | 5.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 34 | 5.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
136 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 48 | 35.3% |
| Billing | 38 | 27.9% |
| Speed | 31 | 22.8% |
| Interference | 12 | 8.8% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 38.2% |
| Availability | 27 | 26.5% |
| Indecency | 15 | 14.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 11.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.9% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
492 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 53.5% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 5 | 1.0% |
| (509) 639-3173 | 4 | 0.8% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (318) 518-4654 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (786) 672-0333 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 373-0390 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (201) 885-5507 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 960-4548 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 506-0264 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (315) 232-8257 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.