FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 September 2023
Introduction
On 13 September 2023, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 795 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 831 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 49 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
- 795
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (271)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (106)
Where the complaints came from
The 795 complaints recorded on 13 September 2023 originated from 545 cities across 49 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 106 | 13.3% |
| Texas | 62 | 7.8% |
| New York | 53 | 6.7% |
| Florida | 50 | 6.3% |
| New Jersey | 32 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 31 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 29 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 28 | 3.5% |
| Indiana | 27 | 3.4% |
| Colorado | 26 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 351 | 44.2% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 536 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 536 | 67.4% |
| Internet | 184 | 23.1% |
| TV | 55 | 6.9% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.8% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.5% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
536 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 271 | 50.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 66 | 12.3% |
| Billing | 61 | 11.4% |
| Equipment | 47 | 8.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 27 | 5.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 26 | 4.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 14 | 2.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
184 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 72 | 39.1% |
| Availability | 69 | 37.5% |
| Speed | 16 | 8.7% |
| Equipment | 11 | 6.0% |
| Interference | 9 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 7 | 3.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
55 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 22 | 40.0% |
| Billing | 18 | 32.7% |
| Indecency | 9 | 16.4% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.5% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 1 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, 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.