FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 November 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 385 consumer complaints on 20 November 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 802 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 43 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 186 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 385
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (186)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (65)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 20 November 2021 show 385 complaints originating from 268 cities across 43 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 65 | 16.9% |
| Texas | 43 | 11.2% |
| Ohio | 28 | 7.3% |
| New York | 19 | 4.9% |
| Arizona | 16 | 4.2% |
| Washington | 16 | 4.2% |
| Florida | 14 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 14 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 14 | 3.6% |
| Wisconsin | 12 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 143 | 37.1% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 44 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 259 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 259 | 67.3% |
| Internet | 73 | 19.0% |
| TV | 43 | 11.2% |
| Radio | 7 | 1.8% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
259 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 186 | 71.8% |
| Billing | 28 | 10.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 17 | 6.6% |
| Equipment | 14 | 5.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.4% |
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 Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
73 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 31 | 42.5% |
| Speed | 14 | 19.2% |
| Billing | 13 | 17.8% |
| Equipment | 6 | 8.2% |
| Privacy | 5 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Speed, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 15 | 34.9% |
| Indecency | 12 | 27.9% |
| Billing | 6 | 14.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 14.0% |
| Interference | 2 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
186 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 48.3% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (281) 461-9904 | 5 | 2.7% |
| (423) 264-2400 | 2 | 1.1% |
| (202) 428-0148 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (202) 985-6373 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (202) 998-5727 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (206) 222-7604 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (208) 536-2721 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (209) 706-5243 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (210) 817-3960 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (213) 337-8652 | 1 | 0.5% |
Key patterns
- None accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by service type.
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (281) 461-9904 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.