FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 October 2022
Introduction
A total of 807 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Monday, 17 October 2022, this represented an increase from the 343 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 807
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (307)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (87)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 17 October 2022 show 807 complaints originating from 597 cities across 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 87 | 10.8% |
| Texas | 65 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 63 | 7.8% |
| New York | 61 | 7.6% |
| Ohio | 42 | 5.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 5.1% |
| Illinois | 40 | 5.0% |
| New Jersey | 29 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 28 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 27 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 323 | 40.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 8 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 535 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 535 | 66.3% |
| Internet | 190 | 23.5% |
| TV | 59 | 7.3% |
| Radio | 18 | 2.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
535 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 307 | 57.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 69 | 12.9% |
| Billing | 65 | 12.1% |
| Equipment | 44 | 8.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.3% |
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 Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
190 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 73 | 38.4% |
| Billing | 72 | 37.9% |
| Speed | 14 | 7.4% |
| Privacy | 13 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 11 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 7 | 3.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
59 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 23 | 39.0% |
| Availability | 14 | 23.7% |
| Indecency | 11 | 18.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 10.2% |
| Equipment | 4 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.