FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 January 2023
Introduction
On 16 January 2023, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 592 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 321 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 47 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 260 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 592
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (260)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (77)
Where the complaints came from
Across 433 cities in 47 states and territories, a total of 592 complaints were recorded on 16 January 2023. 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 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 | 77 | 13.0% |
| Florida | 48 | 8.1% |
| Texas | 41 | 6.9% |
| New York | 39 | 6.6% |
| Arizona | 23 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 23 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 23 | 3.9% |
| Virginia | 23 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 22 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 250 | 42.2% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 56 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 412 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 412 | 69.6% |
| Internet | 130 | 22.0% |
| TV | 33 | 5.6% |
| Radio | 9 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
412 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 260 | 63.1% |
| Billing | 51 | 12.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 30 | 7.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 3.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 6 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.5% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
130 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 51 | 39.2% |
| Billing | 47 | 36.2% |
| Speed | 13 | 10.0% |
| Interference | 9 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 4.6% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.1% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
33 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 11 | 33.3% |
| Indecency | 11 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 4 | 12.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 9.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 6.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 6.1% |
Billing and Indecency 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.