FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 May 2026
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 479 consumer complaints on 17 May 2026 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 542 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Billing were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 479
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Billing (149)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (53)
Where the complaints came from
Across 356 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 479 complaints were recorded on 17 May 2026. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | 53 | 11.1% |
| Florida | 40 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 29 | 6.1% |
| Tennessee | 28 | 5.8% |
| New York | 26 | 5.4% |
| North Carolina | 21 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 18 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 17 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 15 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 211 | 44.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 336 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 336 | 70.1% |
| Internet | 113 | 23.6% |
| TV | 14 | 2.9% |
| Radio | 7 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 6 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
336 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 117 | 34.8% |
| Billing | 86 | 25.6% |
| Equipment | 42 | 12.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 8.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 5.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 17 | 5.1% |
| Privacy | 13 | 3.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 2.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.3% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
113 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 61 | 54.0% |
| Equipment | 14 | 12.4% |
| Speed | 12 | 10.6% |
| Availability | 10 | 8.8% |
| Interference | 10 | 8.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 5.3% |
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.