FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 January 2021
Introduction
On 5 January 2021, 997 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 969 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 501 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 997
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (501)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (114)
Where the complaints came from
The 997 complaints recorded on 5 January 2021 originated from 681 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 114 | 11.4% |
| Florida | 95 | 9.5% |
| Texas | 89 | 8.9% |
| New York | 65 | 6.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 4.3% |
| Virginia | 40 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 32 | 3.2% |
| Arizona | 31 | 3.1% |
| Georgia | 30 | 3.0% |
| New Jersey | 30 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 426 | 42.7% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 687 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 687 | 68.9% |
| Internet | 178 | 17.9% |
| TV | 119 | 11.9% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
687 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 501 | 72.9% |
| Billing | 82 | 11.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 34 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 28 | 4.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 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
178 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 70 | 39.3% |
| Availability | 51 | 28.7% |
| Speed | 24 | 13.5% |
| Interference | 18 | 10.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 6.2% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
119 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 37.0% |
| Availability | 34 | 28.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 20 | 16.8% |
| Indecency | 14 | 11.8% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.2% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.8% |
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.