FCC Consumer Complaints – 8 May 2021
Introduction
On Saturday, 8 May 2021, 477 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1044 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 110 complaints. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 294 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 477
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (294)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (110)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 477 complaints were recorded on 8 May 2021, with reports originating from 315 cities in 49 states and territories. Complaint activity was somewhat more concentrated than usual, with California accounting for the largest share of reports. In California, complaints were heavily concentrated in Santa clarita, which accounted for 73 of the 110 reports recorded.
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 | 110 | 23.1% |
| Texas | 39 | 8.2% |
| Florida | 35 | 7.3% |
| New York | 18 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 15 | 3.1% |
| Ohio | 15 | 3.1% |
| Arizona | 13 | 2.7% |
| New Jersey | 13 | 2.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 13 | 2.7% |
| Washington | 13 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 193 | 40.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were heavily concentrated in Santa clarita, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 8 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 358 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 358 | 75.1% |
| Internet | 59 | 12.4% |
| TV | 41 | 8.6% |
| Broadband Story | 7 | 1.5% |
| Radio | 7 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
358 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 294 | 82.1% |
| Billing | 24 | 6.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 5.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 3 | 0.8% |
| Equipment | 2 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.3% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
Internet complaints
59 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 21 | 35.6% |
| Billing | 15 | 25.4% |
| Speed | 12 | 20.3% |
| Interference | 7 | 11.9% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
41 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 29.3% |
| Billing | 10 | 24.4% |
| Indecency | 8 | 19.5% |
| Availability | 7 | 17.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.4% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Loud Commercials, Billing and Indecency among the most 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.