FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 May 2021
Introduction
A total of 225 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Sunday, 9 May 2021, this represented a decline from the 477 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 40 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 106 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 225
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (106)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (27)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 225 complaints were recorded on 9 May 2021, with reports originating from 172 cities in 40 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 | 27 | 12.0% |
| Texas | 24 | 10.7% |
| New York | 14 | 6.2% |
| Florida | 13 | 5.8% |
| Georgia | 12 | 5.3% |
| Illinois | 9 | 4.0% |
| Michigan | 9 | 4.0% |
| North Carolina | 9 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 9 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 8 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 91 | 40.4% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 21 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 140 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 140 | 62.2% |
| Internet | 49 | 21.8% |
| TV | 26 | 11.6% |
| Broadband Story | 4 | 1.8% |
| Emergency | 3 | 1.3% |
| Radio | 2 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
140 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 62.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 106 | 75.7% |
| Billing | 13 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 6 | 4.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 5 | 3.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 1.4% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
49 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 17 | 34.7% |
| Billing | 13 | 26.5% |
| Speed | 10 | 20.4% |
| Interference | 5 | 10.2% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 4.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
26 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 38.5% |
| Indecency | 6 | 23.1% |
| Availability | 5 | 19.2% |
| Billing | 4 | 15.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 3.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Loud Commercials and Indecency, 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.