FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 October 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 338 consumer complaints on Saturday, 16 October 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 901 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 46 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 147 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 338
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (147)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (40)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 16 October 2021 show 338 complaints originating from 281 cities across 46 states and territories. 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 40 | 11.8% |
| Florida | 34 | 10.1% |
| Texas | 24 | 7.1% |
| New York | 21 | 6.2% |
| Michigan | 19 | 5.6% |
| Arizona | 15 | 4.4% |
| New Jersey | 12 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 11 | 3.3% |
| Louisiana | 10 | 3.0% |
| Ohio | 10 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 142 | 42.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 237 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 237 | 70.1% |
| Internet | 61 | 18.0% |
| TV | 32 | 9.5% |
| Radio | 4 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.6% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
237 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 147 | 62.0% |
| Billing | 28 | 11.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19 | 8.0% |
| Privacy | 16 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 14 | 5.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 3.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.4% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Privacy.
Internet complaints
61 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 21 | 34.4% |
| Billing | 14 | 23.0% |
| Speed | 10 | 16.4% |
| Interference | 6 | 9.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 9.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 6.6% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing and Speed.
TV complaints
32 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 10 | 31.3% |
| Billing | 9 | 28.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 21.9% |
| Indecency | 3 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 3.1% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing 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.