FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 January 2022

Introduction

On Saturday, 29 January 2022, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 406 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 778 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 43 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 168 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
406
States & territories reporting
43
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (168)
Most reported state/territory
California (54)

Where the complaints came from

Across 306 cities in 43 states and territories, a total of 406 complaints were recorded on 29 January 2022. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.

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 54 13.3%
Texas 33 8.1%
Florida 24 5.9%
New York 22 5.4%
Virginia 22 5.4%
Georgia 19 4.7%
Ohio 18 4.4%
Illinois 16 3.9%
Maryland 14 3.4%
North Carolina 14 3.4%
Other states and territories 170 41.9%

Location highlight

Complaints in California were reported across 34 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 259 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 259 63.8%
Internet 83 20.4%
TV 49 12.1%
Radio 8 2.0%
Accessibility 4 1.0%
Broadband Story 3 0.7%

Phone complaints

259 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 63.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 168 64.9%
Availability (including rural call completion) 26 10.0%
Billing 25 9.7%
Equipment 17 6.6%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 11 4.2%
Privacy 6 2.3%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 3 1.2%
Interference (including signal jammers) 3 1.2%

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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment among the most common.

Internet complaints

83 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 30 36.1%
Availability 27 32.5%
Speed 10 12.0%
Equipment 6 7.2%
Interference 5 6.0%
Privacy 5 6.0%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

TV complaints

49 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Loud Commercials 15 30.6%
Availability 13 26.5%
Billing 12 24.5%
Indecency 4 8.2%
Equipment 3 6.1%
Interference 2 4.1%

A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Loud Commercials, Availability and Billing among the most common.

Page last updated: 30 January 2022 with FCC complaints data from 29 January 2022.

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.