FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 January 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 976 consumer complaints on Wednesday, 6 January 2021 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 997 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 498 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 976
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (498)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (105)
Where the complaints came from
Across 642 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 976 complaints were recorded on 6 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 105 | 10.8% |
| Texas | 79 | 8.1% |
| New York | 74 | 7.6% |
| Florida | 53 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 4.4% |
| Georgia | 40 | 4.1% |
| New Jersey | 36 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 35 | 3.6% |
| Colorado | 33 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 33 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 444 | 45.5% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 76 different cities.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 686 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 686 | 70.3% |
| Internet | 162 | 16.6% |
| TV | 100 | 10.2% |
| Radio | 19 | 1.9% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
686 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 498 | 72.6% |
| Billing | 70 | 10.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 37 | 5.4% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 24 | 3.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
162 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 34.0% |
| Availability | 51 | 31.5% |
| Speed | 27 | 16.7% |
| Interference | 17 | 10.5% |
| Equipment | 8 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.5% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 44.0% |
| Availability | 21 | 21.0% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.0% |
| Indecency | 10 | 10.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 10.0% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.0% |
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.