FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 December 2021
Introduction
A total of 615 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, 23 December 2021, this was lower than the 634 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 106 complaints. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 304 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 615
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (304)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (106)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 23 December 2021 show 615 complaints originating from 453 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 106 | 17.2% |
| Florida | 51 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 47 | 7.6% |
| New York | 32 | 5.2% |
| Georgia | 23 | 3.7% |
| Maryland | 23 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 3.4% |
| Colorado | 18 | 2.9% |
| Ohio | 18 | 2.9% |
| Washington | 18 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 257 | 41.8% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 60 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 8 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 446 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 446 | 72.5% |
| Internet | 82 | 13.3% |
| TV | 65 | 10.6% |
| Radio | 7 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 6 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.8% |
| Broadband Story | 3 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
446 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 304 | 68.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 45 | 10.1% |
| Billing | 43 | 9.6% |
| Equipment | 22 | 4.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 3.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.7% |
| Privacy | 3 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.4% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 34 | 41.5% |
| Billing | 32 | 39.0% |
| Speed | 7 | 8.5% |
| Privacy | 6 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
65 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 41.5% |
| Availability | 23 | 35.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 9.2% |
| Indecency | 4 | 6.2% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.1% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.