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
FCC
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is the national regulator for communications in the United States, covering phone, broadband, televis…
Complaint route
CPUC
California Public Utilities Commission
The California Public Utilities Commission regulates privately owned electric, natural gas, water, telecommunications and passenger transpo…
Complaint route
NY PSC
New York State Public Service Commission
The New York State Public Service Commission regulates electric, natural gas, steam, water and telecommunications utilities across New York…
Complaint route
PUCT
Public Utility Commission of Texas
The Public Utility Commission of Texas regulates electric, telecommunications, water and sewer utilities in Texas. It oversees the state�…
Complaint route
FPSC
Florida Public Service Commission
The Florida Public Service Commission regulates investor-owned electric, natural gas, water and telecommunications utilities in Florida. It…
Complaint route
FTC
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is the United States' consumer protection agency for unfair or deceptive business practices. It is not a…
Complaint route
GB
United Kingdom
Ofcom
Office of 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
CCTS
Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The BC Ombudsperson is an independent office that reviews complaints about British Columbia public bodies. It covers provincial government…
Complaint route
AU
Australia
TIO
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
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
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is the regulator for telecommunications, broadcasting, radio and online content. It sets…
Complaint route
AER
Australian Energy Regulator
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
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
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
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
The Ombudsman Western Australia is an independent office that reviews complaints about Western Australian government bodies, including gove…
Complaint route
OSA
Ombudsman South Australia
The Ombudsman South Australia is an independent office that reviews complaints about South Australian public authorities, including governm…
Complaint route
OT
Ombudsman Tasmania
The Ombudsman Tasmania is an independent office that reviews complaints about Tasmanian public authorities, including government-owned ener…
Complaint route
Missing a body?
Tell us which regulator we should add
We cover national and state-level schemes. If you know a complaint route that is not listed, send us the official link.