FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 April 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 313 consumer complaints on 18 April 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 409 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 41 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 147 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 313
- States & territories reporting
- 41
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (147)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (53)
Where the complaints came from
The 313 complaints recorded on 18 April 2021 were submitted from 225 cities across 41 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 53 | 16.9% |
| Texas | 29 | 9.3% |
| Florida | 28 | 8.9% |
| New York | 28 | 8.9% |
| Kentucky | 20 | 6.4% |
| Georgia | 14 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 9 | 2.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 9 | 2.9% |
| Louisiana | 8 | 2.6% |
| North Carolina | 8 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 107 | 34.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 196 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 196 | 62.6% |
| Internet | 55 | 17.6% |
| TV | 38 | 12.1% |
| Broadband Story | 15 | 4.8% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 1.6% |
| Radio | 3 | 1.0% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
196 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 62.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 147 | 75.0% |
| Billing | 19 | 9.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 10 | 5.1% |
| Equipment | 7 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 5 | 2.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 1 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.5% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
55 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 18 | 32.7% |
| Billing | 18 | 32.7% |
| Speed | 9 | 16.4% |
| Interference | 5 | 9.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.6% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
38 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 12 | 31.6% |
| Availability | 11 | 28.9% |
| Billing | 5 | 13.2% |
| Equipment | 5 | 13.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 5.3% |
Indecency 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.