Escalation routes

Regulators and ombudsmen

The independent bodies that can order a provider to fix a complaint, explain a charge or pay compensation. Pick your country to see who handles telecom, energy and water.

Bodies
30
Countries
4
Escalation is not step one

Regulators normally expect you to complain to the provider first and keep a reference number. Some schemes require a deadlock letter or a set waiting period before they will take your case.

US

United States

Country guide

GB

United Kingdom

Country guide
Ofcom Office of Communications Broadband, mobile & home phone · UK — communications Ofcom is the UK regulator for communications, covering broadband, mobile, landline, television, radio and the postal service. It sets the r… Complaint route CO Communications Ombudsman Broadband, mobile & home phone · UK — telecom The Communications Ombudsman is one of the two approved dispute-resolution schemes for UK telecoms. It is free for consumers and covers bro… Complaint route OS Ombudsman Services: Communications Broadband, mobile & home phone · UK — telecom Ombudsman Services: Communications is the other approved dispute-resolution scheme for UK telecoms. Like the Communications Ombudsman, it i… Complaint route Ofgem Office of Gas and Electricity Markets Electricity & gas · UK — energy Ofgem is the UK's gas and electricity regulator. It licenses suppliers and network operators, sets the rules that protect households,… Complaint route EO Energy Ombudsman Electricity & gas · UK — energy The Energy Ombudsman is the free, independent dispute-resolution service for UK energy complaints. It covers domestic customers and micro b… Complaint route CCW Consumer Council for Water Water & sewerage · England and Wales — water The Consumer Council for Water is the statutory consumer body for water and sewerage in England and Wales. It is independent of the water c… Complaint route Ofwat Water Services Regulation Authority Water & sewerage · England and Wales — water Ofwat is the economic regulator for water and sewerage in England and Wales. It sets the price limits that companies can charge, approves i… Complaint route

CA

Canada

Country guide
CCTS Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services Broadband, mobile & home phone · Canada — telecom and TV The Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services is Canada's independent dispute-resolution body for phone, internet and… Complaint route CRTC Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Broadband, mobile & home phone · Canada — telecom policy The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is the federal regulator for telecom and broadcasting in Canada. It sets th… Complaint route OEB Ontario Energy Board Electricity & gas · Ontario — energy The Ontario Energy Board regulates electricity and natural gas in Ontario. It sets rates for regulated utilities, licenses retailers and ga… Complaint route BCUC British Columbia Utilities Commission Electricity & gas · British Columbia — energy The British Columbia Utilities Commission regulates energy utilities in British Columbia, including BC Hydro and FortisBC, and reviews the… Complaint route AUC Alberta Utilities Commission Electricity & gas · Alberta — energy and water The Alberta Utilities Commission regulates electric, natural gas and water utilities in Alberta. It approves rates, licenses facilities and… Complaint route UCA Utilities Consumer Advocate Electricity & gas · Alberta — energy The Utilities Consumer Advocate is Alberta's free consumer service for electricity and natural gas issues. It is not a regulator and d… Complaint route OO Ombudsman Ontario Cross-sector · Ontario — public services and municipalities Ombudsman Ontario is an independent office that reviews complaints about Ontario government services and public sector bodies. It covers mu… Complaint route BCO BC Ombudsperson Cross-sector · British Columbia — public services and municipalities The BC Ombudsperson is an independent office that reviews complaints about British Columbia public bodies. It covers provincial government… Complaint route

AU

Australia

Country guide
TIO Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Broadband, mobile & home phone · Australia — telecom The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman is Australia's free dispute-resolution scheme for phone and internet complaints. It is indep… Complaint route ACMA Australian Communications and Media Authority Broadband, mobile & home phone · Australia — communications The Australian Communications and Media Authority is the regulator for telecommunications, broadcasting, radio and online content. It sets… Complaint route AER Australian Energy Regulator Electricity & gas · Australia — energy The Australian Energy Regulator enforces the National Energy Retail Law and Rules and monitors the wholesale energy market. It is a market… Complaint route EWON Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW Cross-sector · New South Wales — energy and water The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW is the free, independent dispute-resolution scheme for energy and water customers in New South Wales.… Complaint route EWOV Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria Cross-sector · Victoria — energy and water The Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria is the free dispute-resolution scheme for energy and water customers in Victoria. It covers residen… Complaint route EWOQ Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland Cross-sector · Queensland — energy and water The Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland is the free dispute-resolution scheme for electricity, gas and water customers in Queensland. It… Complaint route OWA Ombudsman Western Australia Cross-sector · Western Australia — public services and utilities The Ombudsman Western Australia is an independent office that reviews complaints about Western Australian government bodies, including gove… Complaint route OSA Ombudsman South Australia Cross-sector · South Australia — public services and utilities The Ombudsman South Australia is an independent office that reviews complaints about South Australian public authorities, including governm… Complaint route OT Ombudsman Tasmania Cross-sector · Tasmania — public services and utilities The Ombudsman Tasmania is an independent office that reviews complaints about Tasmanian public authorities, including government-owned ener… Complaint route

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