FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 December 2020
Introduction
On Monday, 21 December 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 724 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 249 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 340 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 724
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (340)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (79)
Where the complaints came from
The 724 complaints recorded on 21 December 2020 were submitted from 529 cities across 49 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 79 | 10.9% |
| New York | 60 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 59 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 56 | 7.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 5.1% |
| Georgia | 31 | 4.3% |
| North Carolina | 29 | 4.0% |
| Arizona | 28 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 25 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 24 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 294 | 40.6% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 481 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 481 | 66.4% |
| Internet | 134 | 18.5% |
| TV | 86 | 11.9% |
| Radio | 16 | 2.2% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
481 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 340 | 70.7% |
| Billing | 57 | 11.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 20 | 4.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.4% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section 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
134 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 41.0% |
| Availability | 42 | 31.3% |
| Speed | 18 | 13.4% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 8 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 40.7% |
| Availability | 27 | 31.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 14.0% |
| Indecency | 6 | 7.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.7% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, 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.