FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 October 2023
Introduction
On Monday, 16 October 2023, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 789 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 332 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 789
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (270)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (92)
Where the complaints came from
Across 573 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 789 complaints were recorded on 16 October 2023. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 92 | 11.7% |
| Florida | 65 | 8.2% |
| Texas | 48 | 6.1% |
| New York | 42 | 5.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 39 | 4.9% |
| Illinois | 31 | 3.9% |
| Arizona | 30 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 30 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 30 | 3.8% |
| New Jersey | 30 | 3.8% |
| Other states and territories | 352 | 44.6% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 521 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 521 | 66.0% |
| Internet | 188 | 23.8% |
| TV | 51 | 6.5% |
| Radio | 17 | 2.2% |
| Accessibility | 9 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
521 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 270 | 51.8% |
| Billing | 85 | 16.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 53 | 10.2% |
| Equipment | 42 | 8.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 23 | 4.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 17 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 14 | 2.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.8% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
188 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 85 | 45.2% |
| Availability | 65 | 34.6% |
| Interference | 12 | 6.4% |
| Equipment | 9 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 9 | 4.8% |
| Speed | 8 | 4.3% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
51 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 49.0% |
| Availability | 16 | 31.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 7.8% |
| Indecency | 3 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.9% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.