FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 March 2023
Introduction
On Tuesday, 28 March 2023, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 936 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 866 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 53 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 936
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (343)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (132)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 936 complaints were recorded on 28 March 2023, with reports originating from 689 cities in 53 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 132 | 14.1% |
| New York | 71 | 7.6% |
| Florida | 69 | 7.4% |
| Texas | 64 | 6.8% |
| North Carolina | 32 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 31 | 3.3% |
| New Jersey | 30 | 3.2% |
| Colorado | 29 | 3.1% |
| Michigan | 29 | 3.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 28 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 420 | 44.9% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 90 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 614 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 614 | 65.6% |
| Internet | 188 | 20.1% |
| TV | 104 | 11.1% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.9% |
| Emergency | 6 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
614 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 65.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 343 | 55.9% |
| Billing | 95 | 15.5% |
| Equipment | 59 | 9.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 45 | 7.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 27 | 4.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
188 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 67 | 35.6% |
| Billing | 61 | 32.4% |
| Interference | 20 | 10.6% |
| Equipment | 15 | 8.0% |
| Speed | 14 | 7.4% |
| Privacy | 11 | 5.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
104 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 55.8% |
| Availability | 26 | 25.0% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, 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.