FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 August 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1074 consumer complaints on 25 August 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1120 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 644 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1074
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (644)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (118)
Where the complaints came from
Across 721 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 1074 complaints were recorded on 25 August 2021. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable 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 | 118 | 11.0% |
| Texas | 82 | 7.6% |
| Florida | 78 | 7.3% |
| New York | 65 | 6.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 4.3% |
| Colorado | 39 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 37 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 36 | 3.4% |
| Washington | 34 | 3.2% |
| Ohio | 33 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 502 | 46.7% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 824 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 824 | 76.7% |
| Internet | 168 | 15.6% |
| TV | 70 | 6.5% |
| Radio | 4 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.3% |
| Broadband Story | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
824 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 644 | 78.2% |
| Billing | 56 | 6.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 37 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 29 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 12 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
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 Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
168 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 59 | 35.1% |
| Availability | 53 | 31.5% |
| Speed | 30 | 17.9% |
| Equipment | 11 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 11 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
70 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 23 | 32.9% |
| Availability | 20 | 28.6% |
| Indecency | 10 | 14.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 11.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, 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.