FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 December 2021
Introduction
A total of 712 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, 21 December 2021, this was higher than the 671 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 48 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 345 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 712
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (345)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (78)
Where the complaints came from
The 712 complaints recorded on 21 December 2021 originated from 503 cities across 48 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 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 | 78 | 11.0% |
| Texas | 77 | 10.8% |
| Florida | 53 | 7.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | 4.9% |
| New York | 32 | 4.5% |
| Michigan | 27 | 3.8% |
| Arizona | 26 | 3.7% |
| Maryland | 26 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 25 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 21 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 311 | 43.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 8 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 528 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 528 | 74.2% |
| Internet | 89 | 12.5% |
| TV | 71 | 10.0% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.7% |
| Broadband Story | 5 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
528 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 345 | 65.3% |
| Billing | 53 | 10.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 48 | 9.1% |
| Equipment | 38 | 7.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 23 | 4.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 4 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.4% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail 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
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 32 | 36.0% |
| Billing | 26 | 29.2% |
| Speed | 14 | 15.7% |
| Privacy | 7 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.5% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
71 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 23 | 32.4% |
| Availability | 21 | 29.6% |
| Indecency | 16 | 22.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 9.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.4% |
Billing and Availability 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.