FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 October 2021
Introduction
On 3 October 2021, 276 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 358 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 44 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 91 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 276
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (91)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (36)
Where the complaints came from
Across 222 cities in 44 states and territories, a total of 276 complaints were recorded on 3 October 2021. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 36 | 13.0% |
| Florida | 21 | 7.6% |
| Texas | 20 | 7.2% |
| North Carolina | 15 | 5.4% |
| New York | 15 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 14 | 5.1% |
| Maryland | 13 | 4.7% |
| Kentucky | 12 | 4.3% |
| Ohio | 12 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 11 | 4.0% |
| Other states and territories | 107 | 38.8% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 29 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 166 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 166 | 60.1% |
| Internet | 63 | 22.8% |
| TV | 35 | 12.7% |
| Radio | 9 | 3.3% |
| Broadband Story | 2 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
166 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 60.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 91 | 54.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 14.5% |
| Billing | 18 | 10.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 5.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 5.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 2.4% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
63 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 19 | 30.2% |
| Billing | 17 | 27.0% |
| Interference | 10 | 15.9% |
| Speed | 8 | 12.7% |
| Equipment | 5 | 7.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 6.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Interference.
TV complaints
35 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 34.3% |
| Availability | 11 | 31.4% |
| Indecency | 5 | 14.3% |
| Billing | 4 | 11.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.9% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.9% |
Loud Commercials and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.