FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 August 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 866 consumer complaints on 9 August 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 250 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 419 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 866
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (419)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (104)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 9 August 2021 show 866 complaints originating from 582 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 104 | 12.0% |
| Florida | 70 | 8.1% |
| New York | 58 | 6.7% |
| Texas | 54 | 6.2% |
| Ohio | 38 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 33 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 30 | 3.5% |
| Arizona | 26 | 3.0% |
| Maryland | 26 | 3.0% |
| Virginia | 26 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 400 | 46.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 618 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 618 | 71.4% |
| Internet | 154 | 17.8% |
| TV | 71 | 8.2% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.7% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.5% |
| Broadband Story | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
618 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 419 | 67.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 60 | 9.7% |
| Billing | 47 | 7.6% |
| Equipment | 39 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 19 | 3.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.1% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
154 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 37.7% |
| Availability | 55 | 35.7% |
| Equipment | 14 | 9.1% |
| Speed | 13 | 8.4% |
| Interference | 8 | 5.2% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
71 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 40.8% |
| Availability | 15 | 21.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 16.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 8.5% |
| Indecency | 6 | 8.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
Billing 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.