FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 December 2021

Introduction

A total of 719 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Monday, 13 December 2021, this was higher than the 273 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 111 complaints. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 350 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
719
States & territories reporting
52
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (350)
Most reported state/territory
California (111)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 719 complaints were recorded on 13 December 2021, with reports originating from 503 cities in 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 111 15.4%
Texas 55 7.6%
Florida 51 7.1%
New York 43 6.0%
Georgia 33 4.6%
North Carolina 30 4.2%
Pennsylvania 25 3.5%
Illinois 24 3.3%
Michigan 20 2.8%
Virginia 20 2.8%
Other states and territories 307 42.7%

Location highlight

California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 66 different cities.

What the complaints were about

A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 526 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 526 73.2%
Internet 117 16.3%
TV 59 8.2%
Radio 12 1.7%
Accessibility 2 0.3%
Emergency 2 0.3%
Broadband Story 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

526 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 350 66.5%
Billing 60 11.4%
Availability (including rural call completion) 35 6.7%
Equipment 30 5.7%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 19 3.6%
Interference (including signal jammers) 11 2.1%
Junk Faxes 10 1.9%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 5 1.0%
Privacy 3 0.6%
Rural Call Completion 2 0.4%

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

117 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 45 38.5%
Availability 36 30.8%
Speed 10 8.5%
Equipment 9 7.7%
Interference 9 7.7%
Privacy 8 6.8%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

TV complaints

59 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 18 30.5%
Billing 14 23.7%
Loud Commercials 14 23.7%
Indecency 8 13.6%
Equipment 2 3.4%
Privacy 2 3.4%
Interference 1 1.7%

The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Loud Commercials.

Page last updated: 14 December 2021 with FCC complaints data from 13 December 2021.

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.