FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 May 2022
Introduction
On 16 May 2022, 789 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 333 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 368 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 789
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (368)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (98)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 16 May 2022 show 789 complaints originating from 542 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 98 | 12.4% |
| New York | 77 | 9.8% |
| Texas | 66 | 8.4% |
| Florida | 49 | 6.2% |
| Ohio | 32 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 26 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 25 | 3.2% |
| Washington | 25 | 3.2% |
| Arizona | 24 | 3.0% |
| New Jersey | 23 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 344 | 43.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 551 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 551 | 69.8% |
| Internet | 161 | 20.4% |
| TV | 60 | 7.6% |
| Emergency | 7 | 0.9% |
| Radio | 5 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
551 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 368 | 66.8% |
| Billing | 58 | 10.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 45 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 29 | 5.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 21 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 12 | 2.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
161 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 70 | 43.5% |
| Billing | 68 | 42.2% |
| Speed | 8 | 5.0% |
| Interference | 7 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 4 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.5% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
60 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 41.7% |
| Indecency | 16 | 26.7% |
| Availability | 13 | 21.7% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 3.3% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.7% |
Billing and Indecency 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.