FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 May 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 279 consumer complaints on 16 May 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 333 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 42 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 115 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 279
- States & territories reporting
- 42
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (115)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (44)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 16 May 2021 show 279 complaints originating from 219 cities across 42 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 44 | 15.8% |
| Texas | 25 | 9.0% |
| North Carolina | 17 | 6.1% |
| Florida | 14 | 5.0% |
| Kentucky | 12 | 4.3% |
| Maryland | 10 | 3.6% |
| Ohio | 10 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 9 | 3.2% |
| Missouri | 9 | 3.2% |
| New York | 9 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 120 | 43.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 162 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 162 | 58.1% |
| Internet | 64 | 22.9% |
| TV | 39 | 14.0% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 1.8% |
| Broadband Story | 5 | 1.8% |
| Radio | 3 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
162 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 58.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 115 | 71.0% |
| Billing | 17 | 10.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 8.0% |
| Privacy | 9 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 3 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 1.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Privacy.
Internet complaints
64 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 18 | 28.1% |
| Availability | 17 | 26.6% |
| Billing | 15 | 23.4% |
| Interference | 8 | 12.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Speed, Availability and Billing.
TV complaints
39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Loud Commercials | 19 | 48.7% |
| Availability | 8 | 20.5% |
| Billing | 7 | 17.9% |
| Indecency | 5 | 12.8% |
Loud Commercials and Availability 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.