FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 January 2021
Introduction
A total of 1042 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 20 January 2021, this was lower than the 1083 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 674 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1042
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (674)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (108)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 20 January 2021 show 1042 complaints originating from 705 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 108 | 10.4% |
| Texas | 100 | 9.6% |
| Florida | 71 | 6.8% |
| New York | 66 | 6.3% |
| Illinois | 49 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 49 | 4.7% |
| North Carolina | 39 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 38 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 37 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 446 | 42.8% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 795 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 795 | 76.3% |
| Internet | 138 | 13.2% |
| TV | 92 | 8.8% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
795 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 674 | 84.8% |
| Billing | 43 | 5.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 19 | 2.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Privacy | 5 | 0.6% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
138 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 49 | 35.5% |
| Billing | 46 | 33.3% |
| Speed | 22 | 15.9% |
| Interference | 9 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.1% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.6% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 37.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 23 | 25.0% |
| Availability | 16 | 17.4% |
| Indecency | 10 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.3% |
Billing and Loud Commercials 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.