FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 November 2021
Introduction
On Thursday, 4 November 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 839 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 908 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 475 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 839
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (475)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (106)
Where the complaints came from
The 839 complaints recorded on 4 November 2021 originated from 573 cities across 50 states and territories. 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 table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 106 | 12.6% |
| Texas | 70 | 8.3% |
| Florida | 66 | 7.9% |
| New York | 63 | 7.5% |
| North Carolina | 33 | 3.9% |
| Massachusetts | 32 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 30 | 3.6% |
| Ohio | 30 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 27 | 3.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 25 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 356 | 42.4% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 8 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 641 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 641 | 76.4% |
| Internet | 126 | 15.0% |
| TV | 59 | 7.0% |
| Radio | 7 | 0.8% |
| Broadband Story | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
641 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 475 | 74.1% |
| Billing | 50 | 7.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 42 | 6.6% |
| Equipment | 30 | 4.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
126 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 45 | 35.7% |
| Billing | 37 | 29.4% |
| Speed | 18 | 14.3% |
| Equipment | 10 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 10 | 7.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
59 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 19 | 32.2% |
| Billing | 18 | 30.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 20.3% |
| Indecency | 5 | 8.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.