FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 February 2021
Introduction
A total of 1006 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, 16 February 2021, complaint volume increased from 681 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 634 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1006
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (634)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (121)
Where the complaints came from
The 1006 complaints recorded on 16 February 2021 were submitted from 705 cities across 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 121 | 12.0% |
| Florida | 89 | 8.8% |
| New York | 72 | 7.2% |
| Colorado | 63 | 6.3% |
| Texas | 46 | 4.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 36 | 3.6% |
| Washington | 34 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 33 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 32 | 3.2% |
| Ohio | 31 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 446 | 44.3% |
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 785 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 785 | 78.0% |
| Internet | 143 | 14.2% |
| TV | 60 | 6.0% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
785 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 634 | 80.8% |
| Billing | 53 | 6.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 38 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 18 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
143 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 51 | 35.7% |
| Billing | 42 | 29.4% |
| Speed | 23 | 16.1% |
| Interference | 14 | 9.8% |
| Privacy | 8 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.5% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
60 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 43.3% |
| Availability | 14 | 23.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 20.0% |
| Indecency | 4 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.7% |
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.