FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 January 2022
Introduction
On 18 January 2022, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 876 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 595 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 426 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 876
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (426)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (120)
Where the complaints came from
The 876 complaints recorded on 18 January 2022 originated from 603 cities across 50 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 120 | 13.7% |
| Texas | 79 | 9.0% |
| Florida | 57 | 6.5% |
| Ohio | 40 | 4.6% |
| New York | 36 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 35 | 4.0% |
| Georgia | 34 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 31 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 27 | 3.1% |
| Maryland | 26 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 391 | 44.6% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 630 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 630 | 71.9% |
| Internet | 146 | 16.7% |
| TV | 79 | 9.0% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.6% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
630 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 426 | 67.6% |
| Billing | 85 | 13.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 40 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 29 | 4.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
146 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 62 | 42.5% |
| Billing | 52 | 35.6% |
| Speed | 15 | 10.3% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.7% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
79 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 30 | 38.0% |
| Billing | 25 | 31.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 17.7% |
| Indecency | 5 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.3% |
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.