FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 October 2022
Introduction
On Tuesday, 18 October 2022, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 866 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 807 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 348 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 866
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (348)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (107)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 866 complaints were recorded on 18 October 2022, with reports originating from 602 cities in 50 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 107 | 12.4% |
| Florida | 80 | 9.2% |
| Texas | 75 | 8.7% |
| New York | 53 | 6.1% |
| Illinois | 41 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 4.3% |
| Michigan | 27 | 3.1% |
| North Carolina | 27 | 3.1% |
| Ohio | 26 | 3.0% |
| Arizona | 25 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 363 | 41.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 608 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 608 | 70.2% |
| Internet | 178 | 20.6% |
| TV | 55 | 6.4% |
| Radio | 20 | 2.3% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
608 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 348 | 57.2% |
| Billing | 91 | 15.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 63 | 10.4% |
| Equipment | 35 | 5.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 25 | 4.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 14 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
178 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 74 | 41.6% |
| Billing | 58 | 32.6% |
| Speed | 16 | 9.0% |
| Interference | 13 | 7.3% |
| Equipment | 11 | 6.2% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.4% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
55 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 43.6% |
| Availability | 12 | 21.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 18.2% |
| Equipment | 4 | 7.3% |
| Indecency | 4 | 7.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.