FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 January 2021
Introduction
On 2 January 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 287 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 245 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 46 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
- 287
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (82)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (26)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 287 complaints were recorded on 2 January 2021, with reports originating from 249 cities in 46 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 26 | 9.1% |
| Texas | 22 | 7.7% |
| Florida | 17 | 5.9% |
| Georgia | 17 | 5.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 17 | 5.9% |
| New York | 15 | 5.2% |
| Virginia | 12 | 4.2% |
| Maryland | 10 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 9 | 3.1% |
| Michigan | 9 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 133 | 46.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 145 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 145 | 50.5% |
| Internet | 74 | 25.8% |
| TV | 63 | 22.0% |
| Radio | 4 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
145 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 50.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 82 | 56.6% |
| Billing | 24 | 16.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 10 | 6.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 3.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.7% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
74 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 31 | 41.9% |
| Billing | 16 | 21.6% |
| Speed | 14 | 18.9% |
| Interference | 9 | 12.2% |
| Privacy | 3 | 4.1% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
63 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 19 | 30.2% |
| Billing | 19 | 30.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 23.8% |
| Indecency | 8 | 12.7% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.6% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, 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.