FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 May 2023
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 274 consumer complaints on Sunday, 14 May 2023 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 332 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 45 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 274
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (68)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (35)
Where the complaints came from
Across 219 cities in 45 states and territories, a total of 274 complaints were recorded on 14 May 2023. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 35 | 12.8% |
| Illinois | 24 | 8.8% |
| Texas | 18 | 6.6% |
| Florida | 17 | 6.2% |
| New York | 17 | 6.2% |
| Colorado | 12 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 11 | 4.0% |
| Minnesota | 9 | 3.3% |
| Maryland | 7 | 2.6% |
| Ohio | 7 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 117 | 42.7% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 27 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
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 145 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 145 | 52.9% |
| Internet | 84 | 30.7% |
| TV | 28 | 10.2% |
| Radio | 13 | 4.7% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
145 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 52.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 68 | 46.9% |
| Billing | 22 | 15.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 12 | 8.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 6.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 5.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 3.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 3.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 2.1% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 30.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 38.1% |
| Availability | 31 | 36.9% |
| Speed | 7 | 8.3% |
| Interference | 5 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 5 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
28 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 11 | 39.3% |
| Availability | 6 | 21.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 21.4% |
| Indecency | 2 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3.6% |
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.