FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 October 2021
Introduction
A total of 975 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 21 October 2021, this represented a decline from the 987 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 585 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 975
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (585)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (110)
Where the complaints came from
The 975 complaints recorded on 21 October 2021 were submitted from 651 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 110 | 11.3% |
| Florida | 79 | 8.1% |
| Texas | 70 | 7.2% |
| New York | 55 | 5.6% |
| Maryland | 40 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 36 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 36 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 35 | 3.6% |
| Massachusetts | 32 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 31 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 445 | 45.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 8 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 760 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 760 | 77.9% |
| Internet | 121 | 12.4% |
| TV | 74 | 7.6% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.1% |
| Broadband Story | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
760 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 585 | 77.0% |
| Billing | 52 | 6.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 43 | 5.7% |
| Equipment | 37 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 15 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.3% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
121 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 45 | 37.2% |
| Billing | 35 | 28.9% |
| Speed | 15 | 12.4% |
| Interference | 10 | 8.3% |
| Privacy | 9 | 7.4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.8% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
74 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 28 | 37.8% |
| Billing | 21 | 28.4% |
| Indecency | 8 | 10.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 10.8% |
| Interference | 5 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.4% |
Availability and Billing 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.