FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 October 2022
Introduction
On Wednesday, 19 October 2022, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 885 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 866 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 380 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 885
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (380)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (114)
Where the complaints came from
On 19 October 2022, the 885 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 622 cities across 51 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | 114 | 12.9% |
| Texas | 71 | 8.0% |
| New York | 60 | 6.8% |
| Florida | 57 | 6.4% |
| Illinois | 35 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 34 | 3.8% |
| Colorado | 30 | 3.4% |
| North Carolina | 27 | 3.1% |
| Georgia | 24 | 2.7% |
| Maryland | 24 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 407 | 46.0% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 74 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 613 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 613 | 69.3% |
| Internet | 184 | 20.8% |
| TV | 51 | 5.8% |
| Radio | 29 | 3.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 4 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
613 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 380 | 62.0% |
| Billing | 64 | 10.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 62 | 10.1% |
| Equipment | 43 | 7.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 25 | 4.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 12 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.8% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
| 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
184 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 70 | 38.0% |
| Availability | 67 | 36.4% |
| Speed | 18 | 9.8% |
| Equipment | 15 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 7 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 7 | 3.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
51 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 16 | 31.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 29.4% |
| Availability | 13 | 25.5% |
| Indecency | 4 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, 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.