FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 January 2022
Introduction
On Monday, 17 January 2022, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 595 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 322 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 306 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 595
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (306)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (83)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 17 January 2022 show 595 complaints originating from 426 cities across 49 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 83 | 13.9% |
| Texas | 57 | 9.6% |
| Florida | 34 | 5.7% |
| New York | 32 | 5.4% |
| North Carolina | 31 | 5.2% |
| Tennessee | 31 | 5.2% |
| Illinois | 24 | 4.0% |
| Maryland | 22 | 3.7% |
| Washington | 20 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 17 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 244 | 41.0% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 417 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 417 | 70.1% |
| Internet | 108 | 18.2% |
| TV | 54 | 9.1% |
| Radio | 10 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.7% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
417 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 306 | 73.4% |
| Billing | 37 | 8.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 7.2% |
| Equipment | 17 | 4.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 6 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
108 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 31.5% |
| Availability | 33 | 30.6% |
| Speed | 16 | 14.8% |
| Privacy | 11 | 10.2% |
| Interference | 9 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
54 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 29 | 53.7% |
| Billing | 17 | 31.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.7% |
| Indecency | 1 | 1.9% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.