FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 December 2020
Introduction
On Saturday, 19 December 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 403 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 918 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 39 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 201 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 403
- States & territories reporting
- 39
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (201)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (60)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 403 complaints were recorded on 19 December 2020, with reports originating from 296 cities in 39 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Arizona, where Glendale accounted for 25 of the 30 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 60 | 14.9% |
| Texas | 33 | 8.2% |
| Florida | 32 | 7.9% |
| Arizona | 30 | 7.4% |
| New York | 22 | 5.5% |
| Ohio | 17 | 4.2% |
| Virginia | 17 | 4.2% |
| Tennessee | 16 | 4.0% |
| North Carolina | 13 | 3.2% |
| Georgia | 12 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 151 | 37.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Arizona were heavily concentrated in Glendale, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 269 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 269 | 66.7% |
| Internet | 66 | 16.4% |
| TV | 62 | 15.4% |
| Radio | 5 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
269 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 201 | 74.7% |
| Billing | 24 | 8.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 14 | 5.2% |
| Privacy | 11 | 4.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.7% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Privacy among the most common.
Internet complaints
66 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 23 | 34.8% |
| Billing | 21 | 31.8% |
| Interference | 12 | 18.2% |
| Speed | 6 | 9.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.5% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
62 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 30 | 48.4% |
| Billing | 16 | 25.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 22.6% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.6% |
| Indecency | 1 | 1.6% |
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.