FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 November 2021
Introduction
On 3 November 2021, 908 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 978 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 515 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 908
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (515)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (103)
Where the complaints came from
The 908 complaints recorded on 3 November 2021 were submitted from 592 cities across 50 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory 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 | 103 | 11.3% |
| Texas | 83 | 9.1% |
| Florida | 80 | 8.8% |
| New York | 69 | 7.6% |
| New Jersey | 37 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 34 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 31 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 30 | 3.3% |
| Tennessee | 30 | 3.3% |
| Colorado | 25 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 384 | 42.3% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 700 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 700 | 77.1% |
| Internet | 135 | 14.9% |
| TV | 55 | 6.1% |
| Accessibility | 11 | 1.2% |
| Radio | 6 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
700 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 515 | 73.6% |
| Billing | 69 | 9.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 43 | 6.1% |
| Equipment | 25 | 3.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.7% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
135 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 49 | 36.3% |
| Billing | 47 | 34.8% |
| Speed | 19 | 14.1% |
| Interference | 8 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.2% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.7% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
55 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 36.4% |
| Availability | 12 | 21.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 21.8% |
| Indecency | 6 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.6% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.8% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials among the most 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.