FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 October 2021
Introduction
A total of 970 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 28 October 2021, this represented a decline from the 1322 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 546 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 970
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (546)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (127)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 970 complaints were recorded on 28 October 2021, with reports originating from 665 cities in 51 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 127 | 13.1% |
| New York | 65 | 6.7% |
| Florida | 60 | 6.2% |
| Texas | 52 | 5.4% |
| Virginia | 40 | 4.1% |
| Washington | 38 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 37 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 34 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 32 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 29 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 453 | 46.7% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 705 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 705 | 72.7% |
| Internet | 131 | 13.5% |
| Accessibility | 60 | 6.2% |
| TV | 60 | 6.2% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.4% |
Phone complaints
705 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 546 | 77.4% |
| Billing | 44 | 6.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 42 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 26 | 3.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 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.
Internet complaints
131 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 51 | 38.9% |
| Billing | 40 | 30.5% |
| Speed | 17 | 13.0% |
| Interference | 10 | 7.6% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.1% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.8% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Accessibility complaints
60 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Closed Captioning over the Internet | 49 | 81.7% |
| Closed Captioning on TV | 5 | 8.3% |
| Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) | 2 | 3.3% |
Closed Captioning over the Internet and Closed Captioning on TV were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
60 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 45.0% |
| Availability | 17 | 28.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 11.7% |
| Indecency | 6 | 10.0% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.7% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.7% |
Billing and Availability 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.