FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 February 2023
Introduction
On 18 February 2023, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 401 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 858 complaints the previous day. Submissions were made from 45 states and territories, with California accounting for the highest number of complaints at 70. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 401
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (142)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (70)
Where the complaints came from
The 401 complaints recorded on 18 February 2023 originated from 324 cities across 45 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 70 | 17.5% |
| Florida | 27 | 6.7% |
| Texas | 27 | 6.7% |
| New York | 22 | 5.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 5.2% |
| Illinois | 20 | 5.0% |
| Washington | 18 | 4.5% |
| Georgia | 14 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 14 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 12 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 156 | 38.9% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 52 different cities.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 256 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 256 | 63.8% |
| Internet | 103 | 25.7% |
| TV | 34 | 8.5% |
| Radio | 4 | 1.0% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
256 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 63.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 142 | 55.5% |
| Billing | 30 | 11.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 19 | 7.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 5.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 9 | 3.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.4% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 42 | 40.8% |
| Billing | 34 | 33.0% |
| Speed | 13 | 12.6% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.9% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
34 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 15 | 44.1% |
| Billing | 8 | 23.5% |
| Availability | 5 | 14.7% |
| Equipment | 2 | 5.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 5.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 5.9% |
Indecency and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.