FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 January 2023
Introduction
On Saturday, 21 January 2023, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 465 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 862 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 465
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (141)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (48)
Where the complaints came from
Across 355 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 465 complaints were recorded on 21 January 2023. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 48 | 10.3% |
| Texas | 40 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 35 | 7.5% |
| New York | 26 | 5.6% |
| Illinois | 25 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 25 | 5.4% |
| Michigan | 16 | 3.4% |
| Alabama | 15 | 3.2% |
| Georgia | 13 | 2.8% |
| New Jersey | 13 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 209 | 44.9% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 35 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 263 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 263 | 56.6% |
| Internet | 141 | 30.3% |
| TV | 47 | 10.1% |
| Accessibility | 7 | 1.5% |
| Radio | 4 | 0.9% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
263 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 56.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 141 | 53.6% |
| Equipment | 27 | 10.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 9.5% |
| Billing | 25 | 9.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 6.8% |
| Privacy | 14 | 5.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.8% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Equipment, Availability (including rural call completion) and Billing.
Internet complaints
141 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 30.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 55 | 39.0% |
| Billing | 42 | 29.8% |
| Privacy | 15 | 10.6% |
| Interference | 13 | 9.2% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.4% |
| Speed | 7 | 5.0% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
47 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 15 | 31.9% |
| Availability | 13 | 27.7% |
| Billing | 7 | 14.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 14.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 6.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Indecency, Availability and Billing.
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.