FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 May 2026
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 542 consumer complaints on Saturday, 16 May 2026 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1122 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 48 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Billing was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 542
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Billing (165)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (58)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 16 May 2026 show 542 complaints originating from 392 cities across 48 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 | 58 | 10.7% |
| Texas | 57 | 10.5% |
| Florida | 33 | 6.1% |
| New York | 33 | 6.1% |
| Georgia | 26 | 4.8% |
| North Carolina | 26 | 4.8% |
| Colorado | 25 | 4.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 17 | 3.1% |
| New Jersey | 17 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 229 | 42.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 394 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 394 | 72.7% |
| Internet | 110 | 20.3% |
| TV | 24 | 4.4% |
| Radio | 8 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
394 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 159 | 40.4% |
| Billing | 109 | 27.7% |
| Equipment | 39 | 9.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 5.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 21 | 5.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 21 | 5.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 13 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 6 | 1.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 5 | 1.3% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
110 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 42.7% |
| Equipment | 22 | 20.0% |
| Availability | 18 | 16.4% |
| Interference | 14 | 12.7% |
| Speed | 5 | 4.5% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.6% |
Billing and Equipment 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.