FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 January 2021
Introduction
On Monday, 4 January 2021, 969 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 314 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with Texas slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 481 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 969
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (481)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (101)
Where the complaints came from
Across 667 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 969 complaints were recorded on 4 January 2021. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 101 | 10.4% |
| California | 96 | 9.9% |
| Florida | 72 | 7.4% |
| New York | 68 | 7.0% |
| Georgia | 48 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 3.8% |
| Virginia | 34 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 30 | 3.1% |
| New Jersey | 30 | 3.1% |
| Maryland | 27 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 423 | 43.7% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 660 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 660 | 68.1% |
| Internet | 179 | 18.5% |
| TV | 112 | 11.6% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
660 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 481 | 72.9% |
| Billing | 80 | 12.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 33 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 25 | 3.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail 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
179 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 77 | 43.0% |
| Billing | 62 | 34.6% |
| Speed | 16 | 8.9% |
| Interference | 11 | 6.1% |
| Equipment | 9 | 5.0% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.2% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 53.6% |
| Availability | 31 | 27.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 7.1% |
| Indecency | 7 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 1 | 0.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.