FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 October 2021
Introduction
A total of 362 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Saturday, 23 October 2021, this was lower than the 889 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 47 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 189 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 362
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (189)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (48)
Where the complaints came from
On 23 October 2021, the 362 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 280 cities across 47 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 48 | 13.3% |
| Texas | 25 | 6.9% |
| Florida | 22 | 6.1% |
| New York | 22 | 6.1% |
| Virginia | 18 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 15 | 4.1% |
| Washington | 15 | 4.1% |
| Michigan | 14 | 3.9% |
| Colorado | 13 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 13 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 156 | 43.1% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 249 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 249 | 68.8% |
| Internet | 66 | 18.2% |
| TV | 35 | 9.7% |
| Radio | 8 | 2.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.6% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
249 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 189 | 75.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 8.0% |
| Billing | 14 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 8 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 3.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.8% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
66 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 36.4% |
| Availability | 17 | 25.8% |
| Speed | 13 | 19.7% |
| Interference | 9 | 13.6% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.5% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
35 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 14 | 40.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 22.9% |
| Indecency | 6 | 17.1% |
| Billing | 5 | 14.3% |
| Equipment | 2 | 5.7% |
Availability 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.