FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 October 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 841 consumer complaints on Monday, 18 October 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 279 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 440 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 841
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (440)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (109)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 841 complaints were recorded on 18 October 2021, with reports originating from 586 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 | 109 | 13.0% |
| Texas | 76 | 9.0% |
| New York | 66 | 7.8% |
| Florida | 38 | 4.5% |
| Ohio | 32 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 30 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 30 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 28 | 3.3% |
| Maryland | 27 | 3.2% |
| Washington | 26 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 378 | 44.9% |
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 631 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 631 | 75.0% |
| Internet | 121 | 14.4% |
| TV | 72 | 8.6% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
631 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 440 | 69.7% |
| Billing | 52 | 8.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 51 | 8.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 28 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 27 | 4.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.6% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
121 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 44 | 36.4% |
| Billing | 39 | 32.2% |
| Speed | 16 | 13.2% |
| Privacy | 9 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 8 | 6.6% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.1% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
72 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 36.1% |
| Availability | 23 | 31.9% |
| Indecency | 11 | 15.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 8.3% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
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.