FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 February 2023
Introduction
On 16 February 2023, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 900 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 849 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 was the most frequently reported issue, with 379 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 900
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (379)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (102)
Where the complaints came from
The 900 complaints recorded on 16 February 2023 were submitted from 611 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 102 | 11.3% |
| Texas | 83 | 9.2% |
| Florida | 67 | 7.4% |
| New York | 60 | 6.7% |
| Illinois | 50 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 33 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 32 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 29 | 3.2% |
| Georgia | 25 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 377 | 41.9% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 67 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 8 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 616 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 616 | 68.4% |
| Internet | 193 | 21.4% |
| TV | 66 | 7.3% |
| Accessibility | 11 | 1.2% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.2% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
616 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 379 | 61.5% |
| Billing | 82 | 13.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 60 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 31 | 5.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 25 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 17 | 2.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
193 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 74 | 38.3% |
| Availability | 72 | 37.3% |
| Speed | 15 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 14 | 7.3% |
| Equipment | 10 | 5.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 4.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
66 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 42.4% |
| Indecency | 14 | 21.2% |
| Availability | 12 | 18.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 9.1% |
| Equipment | 4 | 6.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
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.