FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 October 2021
Introduction
A total of 317 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 31 October 2021, this represented a decline from the 377 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 45 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 114 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 317
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (114)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (30)
Where the complaints came from
Across 239 cities in 45 states and territories, a total of 317 complaints were recorded on 31 October 2021. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 30 | 9.5% |
| Florida | 24 | 7.6% |
| Texas | 18 | 5.7% |
| New York | 17 | 5.4% |
| Ohio | 17 | 5.4% |
| Kentucky | 16 | 5.0% |
| Illinois | 14 | 4.4% |
| Georgia | 13 | 4.1% |
| New Jersey | 12 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 11 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 145 | 45.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 180 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 180 | 56.8% |
| Internet | 61 | 19.2% |
| TV | 52 | 16.4% |
| Accessibility | 10 | 3.2% |
| Radio | 7 | 2.2% |
| Emergency | 5 | 1.6% |
| Broadband Story | 2 | 0.6% |
Phone complaints
180 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 56.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 114 | 63.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 11.1% |
| Billing | 20 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 6.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 2.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 2.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.6% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
61 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 21 | 34.4% |
| Billing | 21 | 34.4% |
| Speed | 15 | 24.6% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.3% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.6% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
52 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 21 | 40.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 19.2% |
| Billing | 8 | 15.4% |
| Indecency | 6 | 11.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 7.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 5.8% |
Availability was the most commonly reported issue in this category, while other issues occurred 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.