FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 December 2020
Introduction
On 26 December 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 221 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 170 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 42 states and territories, with Texas reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 76 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 221
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (76)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (20)
Where the complaints came from
Across 185 cities in 42 states and territories, a total of 221 complaints were recorded on 26 December 2020. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 20 | 9.0% |
| California | 19 | 8.6% |
| New York | 18 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 12 | 5.4% |
| Arizona | 9 | 4.1% |
| West Virginia | 9 | 4.1% |
| Georgia | 8 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 8 | 3.6% |
| Maryland | 8 | 3.6% |
| Minnesota | 8 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 102 | 46.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 119 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 119 | 53.8% |
| Internet | 58 | 26.2% |
| TV | 35 | 15.8% |
| Radio | 5 | 2.3% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
119 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 53.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 76 | 63.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 11 | 9.2% |
| Equipment | 11 | 9.2% |
| Billing | 10 | 8.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.7% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Equipment and Billing.
Internet complaints
58 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 26.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 25 | 43.1% |
| Billing | 13 | 22.4% |
| Speed | 9 | 15.5% |
| Interference | 5 | 8.6% |
| Privacy | 5 | 8.6% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
35 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 11 | 31.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 25.7% |
| Availability | 6 | 17.1% |
| Equipment | 3 | 8.6% |
| Indecency | 3 | 8.6% |
| Interference | 3 | 8.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Loud Commercials and Availability.
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.