FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 March 2022
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 799 consumer complaints on Wednesday, 16 March 2022 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 916 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 46 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 421 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 799
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (421)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (85)
Where the complaints came from
On 16 March 2022, the 799 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 536 cities across 46 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 85 | 10.6% |
| Texas | 63 | 7.9% |
| Florida | 60 | 7.5% |
| New York | 41 | 5.1% |
| Ohio | 39 | 4.9% |
| New Jersey | 34 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 33 | 4.1% |
| Colorado | 32 | 4.0% |
| Maryland | 32 | 4.0% |
| North Carolina | 30 | 3.8% |
| Other states and territories | 350 | 43.8% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 614 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 614 | 76.8% |
| Internet | 125 | 15.6% |
| TV | 47 | 5.9% |
| Radio | 9 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.4% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
614 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 421 | 68.6% |
| Billing | 65 | 10.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 45 | 7.3% |
| Equipment | 25 | 4.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 25 | 4.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.7% |
| 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. 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
125 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 40.0% |
| Availability | 48 | 38.4% |
| Speed | 12 | 9.6% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.6% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.2% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
47 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 14 | 29.8% |
| Billing | 14 | 29.8% |
| Indecency | 8 | 17.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 8.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 8.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.1% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Billing and Indecency among the most common.
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.