FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 December 2021
Introduction
A total of 634 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 22 December 2021, this represented a decline from the 712 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 284 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 634
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (284)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (75)
Where the complaints came from
The 634 complaints recorded on 22 December 2021 were submitted from 469 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 75 | 11.8% |
| Texas | 50 | 7.9% |
| Florida | 40 | 6.3% |
| Ohio | 29 | 4.6% |
| New York | 28 | 4.4% |
| Arizona | 27 | 4.3% |
| Virginia | 27 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 25 | 3.9% |
| Colorado | 21 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 20 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 292 | 46.1% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 52 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 8 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 453 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 453 | 71.5% |
| Internet | 99 | 15.6% |
| TV | 60 | 9.5% |
| Radio | 13 | 2.1% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.5% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
453 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 284 | 62.7% |
| Billing | 51 | 11.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 48 | 10.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 25 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 24 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.7% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 38 | 38.4% |
| Billing | 36 | 36.4% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.1% |
| Speed | 7 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 4 | 4.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
60 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 14 | 23.3% |
| Indecency | 12 | 20.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 16.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 5.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Indecency.
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.