FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 October 2021
Introduction
On 14 October 2021, 879 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 859 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 474 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 879
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (474)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (112)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 879 complaints were recorded on 14 October 2021, with reports originating from 609 cities in 49 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | 112 | 12.7% |
| Texas | 87 | 9.9% |
| New York | 72 | 8.2% |
| Florida | 65 | 7.4% |
| Massachusetts | 33 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 31 | 3.5% |
| Connecticut | 29 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 27 | 3.1% |
| Illinois | 25 | 2.8% |
| North Carolina | 25 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 370 | 42.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 658 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 658 | 74.9% |
| Internet | 128 | 14.6% |
| TV | 72 | 8.2% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.6% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
658 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 474 | 72.0% |
| Billing | 64 | 9.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 44 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 32 | 4.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Privacy | 3 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
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
128 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 39.1% |
| Availability | 42 | 32.8% |
| Speed | 15 | 11.7% |
| Interference | 9 | 7.0% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.5% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.9% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
72 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 37.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 22 | 30.6% |
| Availability | 12 | 16.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 9.7% |
| Indecency | 2 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
Billing and Loud Commercials were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less 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.