FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 March 2022
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 837 consumer complaints on 17 March 2022 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 799 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 434 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 837
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (434)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (142)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 837 complaints were recorded on 17 March 2022, with reports originating from 547 cities in 49 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 142 | 17.0% |
| Texas | 83 | 9.9% |
| Florida | 57 | 6.8% |
| New York | 47 | 5.6% |
| Ohio | 45 | 5.4% |
| North Carolina | 36 | 4.3% |
| Arizona | 25 | 3.0% |
| Colorado | 25 | 3.0% |
| Nevada | 23 | 2.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 22 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 332 | 39.7% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 645 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 645 | 77.1% |
| Internet | 115 | 13.7% |
| TV | 45 | 5.4% |
| Radio | 24 | 2.9% |
| Accessibility | 7 | 0.8% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
645 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 434 | 67.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 67 | 10.4% |
| Billing | 64 | 9.9% |
| Equipment | 32 | 5.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 25 | 3.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 5 | 0.8% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
| 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. 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
115 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 47.8% |
| Availability | 40 | 34.8% |
| Speed | 10 | 8.7% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 0.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
45 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 19 | 42.2% |
| Availability | 14 | 31.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 13.3% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.2% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.2% |
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.