FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 October 2021
Introduction
A total of 853 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 25 October 2021, this was higher than the 273 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 477 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 853
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (477)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (112)
Where the complaints came from
The 853 complaints recorded on 25 October 2021 originated from 590 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. 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 | 112 | 13.1% |
| Texas | 81 | 9.5% |
| Florida | 74 | 8.7% |
| New York | 60 | 7.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 5.4% |
| New Jersey | 31 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 30 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 29 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 28 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 27 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 332 | 38.9% |
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 639 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 639 | 74.9% |
| Internet | 126 | 14.8% |
| TV | 68 | 8.0% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
639 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 477 | 74.6% |
| Billing | 42 | 6.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 38 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 32 | 5.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
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 Equipment.
Internet complaints
126 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 45 | 35.7% |
| Billing | 35 | 27.8% |
| Speed | 21 | 16.7% |
| Equipment | 10 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 10 | 7.9% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
68 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 22 | 32.4% |
| Billing | 22 | 32.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 19.1% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.9% |
| Indecency | 4 | 5.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.