FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 December 2021
Introduction
A total of 411 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Saturday, 18 December 2021, complaint volume fell from 665 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 45 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 77 complaints. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 194 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 411
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (194)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (77)
Where the complaints came from
The 411 complaints recorded on 18 December 2021 originated from 291 cities across 45 states and territories. Compared with most days, complaint activity was more concentrated, with California contributing the largest share of complaints. Complaints at the city level were distributed across multiple locations, with no single city accounting for a notable share.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 77 | 18.7% |
| Texas | 36 | 8.8% |
| Florida | 33 | 8.0% |
| Ohio | 16 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 15 | 3.6% |
| New York | 15 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 14 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 13 | 3.2% |
| Colorado | 12 | 2.9% |
| Illinois | 12 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 168 | 40.9% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 272 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 272 | 66.2% |
| Internet | 70 | 17.0% |
| TV | 46 | 11.2% |
| Broadband Story | 11 | 2.7% |
| Radio | 6 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
272 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 194 | 71.3% |
| Billing | 18 | 6.6% |
| Equipment | 17 | 6.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 12 | 4.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 4.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 2.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 5 | 1.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.7% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
70 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 23 | 32.9% |
| Availability | 19 | 27.1% |
| Equipment | 10 | 14.3% |
| Speed | 10 | 14.3% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.7% |
| Privacy | 4 | 5.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
46 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 11 | 23.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 23.9% |
| Availability | 10 | 21.7% |
| Indecency | 8 | 17.4% |
| Equipment | 4 | 8.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 4.3% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Loud Commercials and Availability 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.