FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 August 2023
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 481 consumer complaints on 19 August 2023 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 788 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 45 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 181 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 481
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (181)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (73)
Where the complaints came from
Across 308 cities in 45 states and territories, a total of 481 complaints were recorded on 19 August 2023. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Washington, where Seattle accounted for 42 of the 48 complaints recorded in the state.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 73 | 15.2% |
| Washington | 48 | 10.0% |
| Florida | 38 | 7.9% |
| Texas | 29 | 6.0% |
| Alabama | 26 | 5.4% |
| New York | 22 | 4.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 22 | 4.6% |
| Georgia | 21 | 4.4% |
| Arizona | 15 | 3.1% |
| Illinois | 15 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 172 | 35.8% |
Location highlight
A large share of complaints in Washington originated from Seattle, which accounted for most reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 309 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 309 | 64.2% |
| Internet | 116 | 24.1% |
| TV | 41 | 8.5% |
| Radio | 8 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.8% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
309 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 181 | 58.6% |
| Billing | 42 | 13.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 19 | 6.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 3.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 7 | 2.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 1.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.3% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section 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
116 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 24.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 45 | 38.8% |
| Billing | 33 | 28.4% |
| Interference | 15 | 12.9% |
| Equipment | 12 | 10.3% |
| Speed | 8 | 6.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.6% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
41 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 25 | 61.0% |
| Billing | 8 | 19.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 9.8% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.9% |
| Indecency | 1 | 2.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.4% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.