FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 February 2023
Introduction
A total of 278 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 19 February 2023, this represented a decline from the 401 complaints recorded the day before. Submissions were made from 37 states and territories, with California accounting for the highest number of complaints at 52. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 278
- States & territories reporting
- 37
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (60)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (52)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 278 complaints were recorded on 19 February 2023, with reports originating from 227 cities in 37 states and territories. Complaints were less evenly distributed than usual, with California accounting for the highest proportion of reports. Complaints at the city level were distributed across multiple locations, with no single city accounting for a notable share.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 52 | 18.7% |
| New York | 22 | 7.9% |
| Texas | 22 | 7.9% |
| Florida | 16 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 14 | 5.0% |
| Ohio | 13 | 4.7% |
| Illinois | 12 | 4.3% |
| New Jersey | 11 | 4.0% |
| Tennessee | 10 | 3.6% |
| Colorado | 9 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 97 | 34.9% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 33 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 140 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 140 | 50.4% |
| Internet | 98 | 35.3% |
| TV | 33 | 11.9% |
| Radio | 3 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
140 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 50.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 60 | 42.9% |
| Billing | 22 | 15.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 16 | 11.4% |
| Equipment | 16 | 11.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 5.7% |
| Privacy | 7 | 5.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 4.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 3.6% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 35.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 38 | 38.8% |
| Billing | 25 | 25.5% |
| Interference | 10 | 10.2% |
| Privacy | 10 | 10.2% |
| Speed | 9 | 9.2% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
33 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 13 | 39.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 21.2% |
| Billing | 6 | 18.2% |
| Availability | 5 | 15.2% |
| Interference | 2 | 6.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Indecency and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.