FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 October 2023
Introduction
On Sunday, 1 October 2023, 336 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 405 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 44 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 336
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (83)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (45)
Where the complaints came from
The 336 complaints recorded on 1 October 2023 originated from 267 cities across 44 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 45 | 13.4% |
| Texas | 36 | 10.7% |
| Florida | 21 | 6.3% |
| Illinois | 18 | 5.4% |
| Georgia | 16 | 4.8% |
| Ohio | 15 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 15 | 4.5% |
| Virginia | 14 | 4.2% |
| New York | 13 | 3.9% |
| Michigan | 12 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 131 | 39.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 186 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 186 | 55.4% |
| Internet | 90 | 26.8% |
| TV | 39 | 11.6% |
| Radio | 12 | 3.6% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 4 | 1.2% |
Phone complaints
186 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 55.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 83 | 44.6% |
| Billing | 36 | 19.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 10.2% |
| Equipment | 18 | 9.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 4.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 3.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.5% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 26.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 38.9% |
| Availability | 25 | 27.8% |
| Interference | 10 | 11.1% |
| Speed | 10 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.6% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 15 | 38.5% |
| Billing | 9 | 23.1% |
| Availability | 5 | 12.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 10.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 7.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 7.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Indecency 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.