FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 February 2023
Introduction
A total of 858 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Friday, 17 February 2023, complaint volume fell from 900 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 48 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 858
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (330)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (94)
Where the complaints came from
Across 617 cities in 48 states and territories, a total of 858 complaints were recorded on 17 February 2023. 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 94 | 11.0% |
| Florida | 64 | 7.5% |
| Texas | 62 | 7.2% |
| Illinois | 56 | 6.5% |
| New York | 56 | 6.5% |
| Ohio | 32 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 31 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 30 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 27 | 3.1% |
| Wisconsin | 27 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 378 | 44.1% |
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 581 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 581 | 67.7% |
| Internet | 191 | 22.3% |
| TV | 66 | 7.7% |
| Radio | 10 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 6 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
581 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 330 | 56.8% |
| Billing | 70 | 12.0% |
| Equipment | 48 | 8.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 47 | 8.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 28 | 4.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 20 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 15 | 2.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 3 | 0.5% |
| 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
191 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 80 | 41.9% |
| Billing | 71 | 37.2% |
| Speed | 14 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 12 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 11 | 5.8% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
66 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 39.4% |
| Availability | 10 | 15.2% |
| Indecency | 10 | 15.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 13.6% |
| Interference | 6 | 9.1% |
| Equipment | 5 | 7.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Indecency.
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.