FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 October 2023
Introduction
On 17 October 2023, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 933 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 789 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 933
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (359)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (98)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 17 October 2023 show 933 complaints originating from 625 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location 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 table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 98 | 10.5% |
| Texas | 82 | 8.8% |
| New York | 69 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 59 | 6.3% |
| Illinois | 57 | 6.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 36 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 33 | 3.5% |
| Arizona | 31 | 3.3% |
| Alabama | 29 | 3.1% |
| North Carolina | 29 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 410 | 43.9% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 61 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 648 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 648 | 69.5% |
| Internet | 194 | 20.8% |
| TV | 74 | 7.9% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
648 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 359 | 55.4% |
| Billing | 111 | 17.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 61 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 45 | 6.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 2.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 14 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 13 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 12 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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. 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
194 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 83 | 42.8% |
| Availability | 62 | 32.0% |
| Equipment | 16 | 8.2% |
| Speed | 15 | 7.7% |
| Interference | 10 | 5.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 4.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
74 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 31 | 41.9% |
| Billing | 25 | 33.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 9.5% |
| Indecency | 4 | 5.4% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.7% |
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.