FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 March 2022
Introduction
On 19 March 2022, 385 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 795 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 40 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 131 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 385
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (131)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (41)
Where the complaints came from
On 19 March 2022, the 385 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 294 cities across 40 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 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 | 41 | 10.6% |
| New York | 31 | 8.1% |
| Texas | 26 | 6.8% |
| Florida | 24 | 6.2% |
| Georgia | 18 | 4.7% |
| Ohio | 18 | 4.7% |
| Michigan | 17 | 4.4% |
| North Carolina | 15 | 3.9% |
| Tennessee | 14 | 3.6% |
| Kansas | 13 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 168 | 43.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 251 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 251 | 65.2% |
| Internet | 90 | 23.4% |
| TV | 30 | 7.8% |
| Radio | 11 | 2.9% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
251 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 65.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 131 | 52.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 12.7% |
| Equipment | 28 | 11.2% |
| Billing | 23 | 9.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 6.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 3.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 5 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 1.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.4% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Equipment and Billing.
Internet complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 32 | 35.6% |
| Billing | 30 | 33.3% |
| Speed | 14 | 15.6% |
| Interference | 7 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.3% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
30 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 11 | 36.7% |
| Billing | 7 | 23.3% |
| Equipment | 4 | 13.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 13.3% |
| Indecency | 3 | 10.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 3.3% |
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.