FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 December 2021
Introduction
On 17 December 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 665 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 762 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 48 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 324 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 665
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (324)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (94)
Where the complaints came from
On 17 December 2021, the 665 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 474 cities across 48 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 94 | 14.1% |
| Texas | 72 | 10.8% |
| Florida | 47 | 7.1% |
| New York | 39 | 5.9% |
| North Carolina | 24 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 23 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 22 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 22 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 21 | 3.2% |
| Massachusetts | 19 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 282 | 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 483 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 483 | 72.6% |
| Internet | 96 | 14.4% |
| TV | 52 | 7.8% |
| Broadband Story | 18 | 2.7% |
| Radio | 10 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
483 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 324 | 67.1% |
| Billing | 52 | 10.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 33 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 31 | 6.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 20 | 4.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 5 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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
96 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 40.6% |
| Availability | 25 | 26.0% |
| Privacy | 11 | 11.5% |
| Speed | 11 | 11.5% |
| Interference | 9 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
52 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 21 | 40.4% |
| Billing | 15 | 28.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 15.4% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.8% |
| Indecency | 3 | 5.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.8% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less 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.