FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 December 2020
Introduction
On 17 December 2020, 1013 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1031 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 53 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 569 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1013
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (569)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (106)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 17 December 2020 show 1013 complaints originating from 679 cities across 53 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 | 106 | 10.5% |
| Texas | 98 | 9.7% |
| Florida | 88 | 8.7% |
| New York | 54 | 5.3% |
| Georgia | 47 | 4.6% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 34 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 33 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 31 | 3.1% |
| Colorado | 29 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 453 | 44.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 740 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 740 | 73.1% |
| Internet | 145 | 14.3% |
| TV | 111 | 11.0% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
740 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 569 | 76.9% |
| Billing | 47 | 6.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 45 | 6.1% |
| Equipment | 24 | 3.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 20 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 19 | 2.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 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 Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
145 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 58 | 40.0% |
| Billing | 43 | 29.7% |
| Speed | 23 | 15.9% |
| Interference | 12 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.4% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
111 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 40 | 36.0% |
| Billing | 33 | 29.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 19 | 17.1% |
| Indecency | 13 | 11.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.7% |
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.