FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 September 2021
Introduction
A total of 962 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, 14 September 2021, this was higher than the 927 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 539 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 962
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (539)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (95)
Where the complaints came from
The 962 complaints recorded on 14 September 2021 were submitted from 653 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. 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 | 95 | 9.9% |
| Texas | 81 | 8.4% |
| Florida | 65 | 6.8% |
| New York | 55 | 5.7% |
| North Carolina | 42 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 39 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 34 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 33 | 3.4% |
| Arizona | 30 | 3.1% |
| Michigan | 30 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 452 | 47.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 709 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 709 | 73.7% |
| Internet | 155 | 16.1% |
| TV | 63 | 6.5% |
| Broadband Story | 20 | 2.1% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
709 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 539 | 76.0% |
| Billing | 52 | 7.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 47 | 6.6% |
| Equipment | 25 | 3.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 2.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.7% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
155 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 59 | 38.1% |
| Billing | 50 | 32.3% |
| Speed | 16 | 10.3% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 10 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 9 | 5.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
63 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 44.4% |
| Availability | 12 | 19.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 14.3% |
| Indecency | 8 | 12.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.6% |
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.