FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 November 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 856 consumer complaints on 1 November 2021 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 317 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 465 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 856
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (465)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (86)
Where the complaints came from
Across 602 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 856 complaints were recorded on 1 November 2021. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 86 | 10.0% |
| Texas | 82 | 9.6% |
| New York | 56 | 6.5% |
| Florida | 54 | 6.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 39 | 4.6% |
| Ohio | 38 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 35 | 4.1% |
| New Jersey | 31 | 3.6% |
| Colorado | 30 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 27 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 373 | 43.6% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 626 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 626 | 73.1% |
| Internet | 136 | 15.9% |
| TV | 66 | 7.7% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 7 | 0.8% |
| Emergency | 6 | 0.7% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
626 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 465 | 74.3% |
| Billing | 49 | 7.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 47 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 28 | 4.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.2% |
| 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
136 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 51 | 37.5% |
| Billing | 50 | 36.8% |
| Speed | 14 | 10.3% |
| Interference | 10 | 7.4% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.7% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
66 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 36.4% |
| Availability | 13 | 19.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 19.7% |
| Indecency | 11 | 16.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.0% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials.
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.