FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 September 2021
Introduction
On Tuesday, 21 September 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 942 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 867 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 525 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 942
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (525)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (90)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 942 complaints were recorded on 21 September 2021, with reports originating from 614 cities in 50 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 90 | 9.6% |
| Texas | 87 | 9.2% |
| Florida | 66 | 7.0% |
| New York | 62 | 6.6% |
| Georgia | 44 | 4.7% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 4.5% |
| Colorado | 41 | 4.4% |
| Ohio | 37 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 34 | 3.6% |
| Massachusetts | 32 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 407 | 43.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 8 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 717 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 717 | 76.1% |
| Internet | 132 | 14.0% |
| TV | 75 | 8.0% |
| Radio | 9 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
717 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 525 | 73.2% |
| Billing | 54 | 7.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 46 | 6.4% |
| Equipment | 25 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 19 | 2.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 13 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 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 Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
132 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 49 | 37.1% |
| Billing | 49 | 37.1% |
| Speed | 17 | 12.9% |
| Privacy | 9 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 2 | 1.5% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 37.3% |
| Availability | 15 | 20.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 18.7% |
| Equipment | 6 | 8.0% |
| Indecency | 6 | 8.0% |
| Interference | 5 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials among the most common.
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.