FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 September 2021

Introduction

On 6 September 2021, 431 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 326 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 47 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 225 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
431
States & territories reporting
47
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (225)
Most reported state/territory
California (57)

Where the complaints came from

The 431 complaints recorded on 6 September 2021 originated from 314 cities across 47 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.

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 57 13.2%
Texas 56 13.0%
Florida 33 7.7%
New York 27 6.3%
Georgia 25 5.8%
Washington 17 3.9%
Ohio 14 3.2%
Pennsylvania 14 3.2%
Illinois 13 3.0%
Colorado 12 2.8%
Other states and territories 163 37.8%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 307 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 307 71.2%
Internet 86 20.0%
TV 33 7.7%
Emergency 2 0.5%
Accessibility 1 0.2%
Broadband Story 1 0.2%
Radio 1 0.2%

Phone complaints

307 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 225 73.3%
Availability (including rural call completion) 29 9.4%
Billing 22 7.2%
Equipment 11 3.6%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 8 2.6%
Privacy 6 2.0%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 3 1.0%
Interference (including signal jammers) 2 0.7%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 1 0.3%

As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided 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

86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 29 33.7%
Availability 25 29.1%
Speed 12 14.0%
Interference 8 9.3%
Equipment 7 8.1%
Privacy 5 5.8%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

TV complaints

33 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 9 27.3%
Availability 7 21.2%
Loud Commercials 6 18.2%
Indecency 5 15.2%
Equipment 3 9.1%
Interference 3 9.1%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials among the most common.

Page last updated: 7 September 2021 with FCC complaints data from 6 September 2021.

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.