FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 September 2021
Introduction
A total of 993 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, 30 September 2021, this represented an increase from the 904 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 572 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 993
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (572)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (98)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 30 September 2021 show 993 complaints originating from 633 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 98 | 9.9% |
| Texas | 91 | 9.2% |
| Florida | 86 | 8.7% |
| New York | 62 | 6.2% |
| Georgia | 46 | 4.6% |
| Massachusetts | 42 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 37 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 35 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 35 | 3.5% |
| Tennessee | 32 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 428 | 43.1% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 8 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 771 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 771 | 77.6% |
| Internet | 130 | 13.1% |
| TV | 63 | 6.3% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.8% |
| Broadband Story | 5 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
771 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 572 | 74.2% |
| Billing | 67 | 8.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 45 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 24 | 3.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.8% |
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
130 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 50 | 38.5% |
| Billing | 43 | 33.1% |
| Speed | 15 | 11.5% |
| Equipment | 11 | 8.5% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.6% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.8% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
63 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 18 | 28.6% |
| Availability | 17 | 27.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 20.6% |
| Indecency | 8 | 12.7% |
| Equipment | 6 | 9.5% |
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.