FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 December 2020

Introduction

On 25 December 2020, 170 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 337 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 36 states and territories, with Wisconsin recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.

Key statistics

Total complaints
170
States & territories reporting
36
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (42)
Most reported state/territory
Wisconsin (29)

Where the complaints came from

Reports recorded on 25 December 2020 show 170 complaints originating from 116 cities across 36 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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
Wisconsin 29 17.1%
California 22 12.9%
Georgia 10 5.9%
Illinois 10 5.9%
New York 10 5.9%
Texas 10 5.9%
Maryland 9 5.3%
New Jersey 6 3.5%
Oregon 6 3.5%
Virginia 6 3.5%
Other states and territories 51 30.0%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Internet was the most reported category, with 75 complaints. This was followed by Phone, which accounted for 67 complaints.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Internet 75 44.1%
Phone 67 39.4%
TV 23 13.5%
Accessibility 3 1.8%
Radio 2 1.2%

Internet complaints

75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 44.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Interference 37 49.3%
Availability 13 17.3%
Speed 12 16.0%
Billing 11 14.7%
Equipment 1 1.3%
Privacy 1 1.3%

Interference and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Phone complaints

67 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 39.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 42 62.7%
Availability (including rural call completion) 7 10.4%
Billing 6 9.0%
Equipment 3 4.5%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 3 4.5%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 2 3.0%
Privacy 2 3.0%
Interference (including signal jammers) 1 1.5%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 1 1.5%

Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment among the most common.

TV complaints

23 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Loud Commercials 8 34.8%
Availability 6 26.1%
Billing 5 21.7%
Indecency 2 8.7%
Equipment 1 4.3%
Interference 1 4.3%

Loud Commercials and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Page last updated: 26 December 2020 with FCC complaints data from 25 December 2020.

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.