FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 October 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 856 consumer complaints on 4 October 2021 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 276 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 400 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 856
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (400)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (113)
Where the complaints came from
On 4 October 2021, the 856 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 583 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 113 | 13.2% |
| Florida | 72 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 67 | 7.8% |
| New York | 51 | 6.0% |
| Arizona | 40 | 4.7% |
| Georgia | 39 | 4.6% |
| New Jersey | 31 | 3.6% |
| Ohio | 31 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 28 | 3.3% |
| Maryland | 27 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 355 | 41.5% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 8 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 621 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 621 | 72.5% |
| Internet | 157 | 18.3% |
| TV | 59 | 6.9% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.4% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
621 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 400 | 64.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 69 | 11.1% |
| Billing | 63 | 10.1% |
| Equipment | 33 | 5.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 27 | 4.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.8% |
| 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 Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
157 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 54 | 34.4% |
| Availability | 53 | 33.8% |
| Speed | 21 | 13.4% |
| Interference | 14 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 10 | 6.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
59 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 22 | 37.3% |
| Availability | 16 | 27.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 16.9% |
| Equipment | 5 | 8.5% |
| Indecency | 5 | 8.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.7% |
Billing 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.