FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 October 2021
Introduction
A total of 1322 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, 27 October 2021, this represented an increase from the 1036 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 48 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 619 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1322
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (619)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (160)
Where the complaints came from
The 1322 complaints recorded on 27 October 2021 were submitted from 826 cities across 48 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 | 160 | 12.1% |
| Texas | 110 | 8.3% |
| New York | 98 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 88 | 6.7% |
| Washington | 56 | 4.2% |
| Maryland | 48 | 3.6% |
| Kentucky | 46 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 45 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 40 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 587 | 44.4% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 798 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 798 | 60.4% |
| Accessibility | 336 | 25.4% |
| Internet | 103 | 7.8% |
| TV | 70 | 5.3% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.0% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
798 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 60.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 619 | 77.6% |
| Billing | 52 | 6.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 39 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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.
Accessibility complaints
336 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Closed Captioning over the Internet | 288 | 85.7% |
| Closed Captioning on TV | 36 | 10.7% |
| Video Description | 3 | 0.9% |
Closed Captioning over the Internet and Closed Captioning on TV were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 36.9% |
| Availability | 35 | 34.0% |
| Speed | 13 | 12.6% |
| Interference | 12 | 11.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.9% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
70 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 24 | 34.3% |
| Billing | 21 | 30.0% |
| Indecency | 10 | 14.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 14.3% |
| Interference | 5 | 7.1% |
Availability and Billing 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.