FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 July 2021
Introduction
On 23 July 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 909 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 833 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 505 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 909
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (505)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (109)
Where the complaints came from
On 23 July 2021, the 909 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 590 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Iowa, where Iowa City accounted for 39 of the 48 complaints recorded.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 109 | 12.0% |
| Florida | 78 | 8.6% |
| Texas | 63 | 6.9% |
| New York | 53 | 5.8% |
| Iowa | 48 | 5.3% |
| Minnesota | 36 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 34 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 32 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 29 | 3.2% |
| Washington | 26 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 401 | 44.1% |
Location highlight
Iowa City accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Iowa.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 668 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 668 | 73.5% |
| Internet | 119 | 13.1% |
| TV | 106 | 11.7% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Broadband Story | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
668 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 505 | 75.6% |
| Billing | 49 | 7.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 43 | 6.4% |
| Equipment | 30 | 4.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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 Equipment.
Internet complaints
119 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 35.3% |
| Availability | 41 | 34.5% |
| Speed | 16 | 13.4% |
| Privacy | 8 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.0% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
106 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 34 | 32.1% |
| Availability | 26 | 24.5% |
| Billing | 26 | 24.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 9.4% |
| Interference | 8 | 7.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.9% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Indecency, Availability and Billing.
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.