FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 August 2021
Introduction
On Sunday, 15 August 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 306 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 410 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 43 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 64 complaints. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 119 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 306
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (119)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (64)
Where the complaints came from
The 306 complaints recorded on 15 August 2021 were submitted from 229 cities across 43 states and territories. Complaint activity was somewhat more concentrated than usual, with California accounting for the largest share of reports. While complaints were reported across multiple cities, no individual location accounted for a significant share of the total.
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 | 64 | 20.9% |
| Florida | 27 | 8.8% |
| Texas | 27 | 8.8% |
| Georgia | 20 | 6.5% |
| New York | 18 | 5.9% |
| Ohio | 14 | 4.6% |
| Kentucky | 12 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 9 | 2.9% |
| North Carolina | 9 | 2.9% |
| Washington | 8 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 97 | 31.7% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 33 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 181 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 181 | 59.2% |
| Internet | 77 | 25.2% |
| TV | 38 | 12.4% |
| Radio | 7 | 2.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
181 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 59.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 119 | 65.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 16 | 8.8% |
| Billing | 16 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 5.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 1 | 0.6% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.6% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 33 | 42.9% |
| Speed | 16 | 20.8% |
| Billing | 12 | 15.6% |
| Interference | 8 | 10.4% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Speed, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
38 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 18 | 47.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 18.4% |
| Indecency | 6 | 15.8% |
| Billing | 5 | 13.2% |
| Interference | 2 | 5.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Loud Commercials, 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.