FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 March 2021
Introduction
On 19 March 2021, 1411 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 1456 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 759 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1411
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (759)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (146)
Where the complaints came from
The 1411 complaints recorded on 19 March 2021 originated from 889 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 146 | 10.3% |
| Texas | 134 | 9.5% |
| Ohio | 118 | 8.4% |
| Florida | 84 | 6.0% |
| New York | 82 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 68 | 4.8% |
| Georgia | 44 | 3.1% |
| North Carolina | 41 | 2.9% |
| Massachusetts | 39 | 2.8% |
| Virginia | 36 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 606 | 42.9% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 953 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 953 | 67.5% |
| TV | 273 | 19.3% |
| Internet | 163 | 11.6% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
953 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 759 | 79.6% |
| Billing | 60 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 37 | 3.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.0% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
TV complaints
273 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 170 | 62.3% |
| Availability | 48 | 17.6% |
| Billing | 31 | 11.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 4.0% |
| Equipment | 5 | 1.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.1% |
Indecency and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
163 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 68 | 41.7% |
| Billing | 32 | 19.6% |
| Interference | 30 | 18.4% |
| Speed | 12 | 7.4% |
| Privacy | 11 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 10 | 6.1% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.