FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 January 2021

Introduction

On 24 January 2021, 380 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 506 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 42 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 183 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
380
States & territories reporting
42
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (183)
Most reported state/territory
California (42)

Where the complaints came from

The 380 complaints recorded on 24 January 2021 were submitted from 263 cities across 42 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Arizona, where Glendale accounted for 26 of the 34 complaints recorded.

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 42 11.1%
Arizona 34 8.9%
Florida 25 6.6%
Indiana 21 5.5%
New York 18 4.7%
Texas 18 4.7%
Georgia 14 3.7%
Ohio 14 3.7%
Illinois 13 3.4%
Missouri 13 3.4%
Other states and territories 168 44.2%

Location highlights

  • A large share of complaints in Arizona originated from Glendale, which accounted for most reports within the state.
  • Complaints in California were reported across 30 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.

What the complaints were about

A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 238 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 238 62.6%
Internet 85 22.4%
TV 47 12.4%
Radio 6 1.6%
Emergency 3 0.8%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.3%

Phone complaints

238 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 62.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 183 76.9%
Billing 19 8.0%
Availability (including rural call completion) 16 6.7%
Equipment 8 3.4%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 5 2.1%
Interference (including signal jammers) 3 1.3%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 2 0.8%
Privacy 2 0.8%

As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.

Internet complaints

85 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 38 44.7%
Billing 24 28.2%
Speed 10 11.8%
Interference 8 9.4%
Privacy 3 3.5%
Equipment 2 2.4%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

TV complaints

47 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Loud Commercials 15 31.9%
Availability 13 27.7%
Billing 9 19.1%
Indecency 6 12.8%
Interference 3 6.4%
Privacy 1 2.1%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Loud Commercials, Availability and Billing.

Unwanted calls

183 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 48.2% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(315) 232-8257 7 3.8%
(248) 313-6063 2 1.1%
(520) 317-4817 2 1.1%
(207) 424-2705 1 0.5%
(208) 225-4943 1 0.5%
(213) 223-7888 1 0.5%
(231) 437-1940 1 0.5%
(262) 766-7220 1 0.5%
(302) 390-7536 1 0.5%
(314) 330-9695 1 0.5%

Key patterns

  • Abandoned Calls accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
  • (315) 232-8257 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
  • Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
Page last updated: 25 January 2021 with FCC complaints data from 24 January 2021.

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.