FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 March 2021
Introduction
A total of 1383 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, 16 March 2021, this was higher than the 1344 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 739 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1383
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (739)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (148)
Where the complaints came from
The 1383 complaints recorded on 16 March 2021 originated from 879 cities across 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 148 | 10.7% |
| Florida | 117 | 8.5% |
| Texas | 98 | 7.1% |
| New York | 77 | 5.6% |
| Ohio | 66 | 4.8% |
| Virginia | 59 | 4.3% |
| Arizona | 58 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 49 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 48 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 42 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 616 | 44.5% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 104 different cities.
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 907 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 907 | 65.6% |
| TV | 306 | 22.1% |
| Internet | 140 | 10.1% |
| Radio | 22 | 1.6% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
907 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 65.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 739 | 81.5% |
| Billing | 56 | 6.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 36 | 4.0% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
306 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 192 | 62.7% |
| Billing | 47 | 15.4% |
| Availability | 42 | 13.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 18 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 3 | 1.0% |
| Interference | 3 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.3% |
Indecency and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
140 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 33.6% |
| Availability | 44 | 31.4% |
| Speed | 24 | 17.1% |
| Interference | 11 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.7% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.3% |
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.