FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 September 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 965 consumer complaints on 23 September 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 971 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 569 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 965
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (569)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (122)
Where the complaints came from
Across 630 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 965 complaints were recorded on 23 September 2021. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 122 | 12.6% |
| Texas | 71 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 65 | 6.7% |
| New York | 58 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 5.3% |
| Georgia | 47 | 4.9% |
| New Jersey | 39 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 32 | 3.3% |
| Arizona | 28 | 2.9% |
| Maryland | 26 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 425 | 44.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 8 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 731 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 731 | 75.8% |
| Internet | 157 | 16.3% |
| TV | 58 | 6.0% |
| Radio | 8 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.3% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
731 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 569 | 77.8% |
| Billing | 52 | 7.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 45 | 6.2% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Privacy | 5 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
157 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 68 | 43.3% |
| Billing | 40 | 25.5% |
| Interference | 16 | 10.2% |
| Speed | 15 | 9.6% |
| Privacy | 10 | 6.4% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.1% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
58 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 18 | 31.0% |
| Availability | 16 | 27.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 22.4% |
| Indecency | 6 | 10.3% |
| Interference | 3 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials.
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.