FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 February 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1020 consumer complaints on Wednesday, 17 February 2021 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1006 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 592 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1020
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (592)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (119)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1020 complaints were recorded on 17 February 2021, with reports originating from 724 cities in 50 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | 119 | 11.7% |
| Florida | 84 | 8.2% |
| New York | 78 | 7.6% |
| Texas | 56 | 5.5% |
| North Carolina | 46 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.7% |
| New Jersey | 35 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 31 | 3.0% |
| Virginia | 31 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 453 | 44.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 762 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 762 | 74.7% |
| Internet | 151 | 14.8% |
| TV | 89 | 8.7% |
| Radio | 9 | 0.9% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
762 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 592 | 77.7% |
| Billing | 47 | 6.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 39 | 5.1% |
| Equipment | 32 | 4.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.4% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided 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
151 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 53 | 35.1% |
| Billing | 49 | 32.5% |
| Interference | 22 | 14.6% |
| Speed | 21 | 13.9% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 36.0% |
| Availability | 31 | 34.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 14.6% |
| Indecency | 8 | 9.0% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.