Complaints

This profile includes complaints for TDS's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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• 

  TDS

  525 Junction Rd Madison, WI 53717-2152

• 

  TDS

  PO Box 40 Merrimac, WI 53561-0040

• 

  TDS

  327 Palisade St Merrimac, WI 53561-9442

• 

  TDS

  8401 Greenway Blvd Middleton, WI 53562-4629

• 

  Communication Corporation of Michigan

  PO Box 246 Augusta, MI 49012-0246

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/01/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I made an over the phone payment to have my internet service restored. The customer representative offered an additional $4.95 express payment and told me my service would be restored immediately. This was a blatant lie. My services might not be restored for an additional 7 days according to a different customer service representative.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/02/2025

  Our reconnect policy does state non pay reconnects can take up to 72 hours or longer to restore service. Due to the holiday date, the reconnect for this account will fall on July 7. As a one time courtesy, we have requested the service be restored by end of day, July 3. We do apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/27/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I cancelled my TDS internet and cable account in early January 2025 with a $0 balance. I received an email on Monday, January 20, 2025 at 10:05 PM EST, after I had cancelled my service, stating that I had a bill available for review online with a balance of ****** due on 1/25/2025. A negative amount indicates they owed me a credit rather than me owing them anything. Not only did a not receive a credit, I just got a credit score monitoring alert due to a bill from TDS for $139 that is supposedly 30 days past due. This account was closed, not only in good standing, but with a credit due but somehow they've turned that credit into me supposedly owing them money and now I have a collection for a bill that I don't owe that has severely impacted my credit score, which prior to this false collection, was 843 (FICO 8 score).

  Business Response

  Date: 07/08/2025

  TDS has removed the charges from Mr. ******* account. The charges were for a non-returned modem, we have removed the charges and will send Mr. ****** a box to return our modem, if he still has the equipment, he can put the modem back in the box and send it using the provided return label. We do apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/15/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

  TDS needs to also provide me written notification that the charges have been removed, that the collection agency has been informed of the removal of the charges, and that the collection agency has been instructed to immediately update reporting to all credit reporting bureaus that there is no collection.  The collection must be removed from my credit report before I can put into writing that their response is accepted.  Once I have written confirmation that my credit reporting has been adjusted and correct, then I will gladly accept the response from TDS.

  
  Regards,
  
  **** ******

  Business Response

  Date: 07/16/2025

  A letter has been mailed to Mr. ****** that provides written confirmation of the full adjustment of the final balance.  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/16/2025

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 
  
  Regards,
  
  **** ******
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/25/2025

  Type:Delivery Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Date June 25, 2025 for the amount of $148.62.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/27/2025

  Our billing practice and termination of service detail is listed in our TDS Policy/ Terms of Service online and also on each monthly bill that is sent to Ms. ****** Ms. ****** billing date is the 22nd of each month and listed on each bill does outline our bill due date and our late fee policy.  We welcome Ms. ***** to create an online account, it is provided at no cost, she can view/pay her billing, view her products and make a payment online that will not cost her and save from mailing a check and avoiding the mail times. We do apologize for any inconvenience.Thank you

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/25/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am not getting anywhere near the internet speed that I was told to expect. I have had DSL internet service from TDS for years and it used to be pretty much the level of service I expected. Over the last 1 to 2 years it has degraded significantly. I am supposed to expect 1.5 mbps as a down load speed. Currently the speed has often been .1 to .5 mbps. Virtually nothing using the internet works. At times I have no service and anything connected to the Internet stops. After contacting TDS internet service I am told that I am, in fact, getting the mbps speed for which I am paying, and I am reminded that 1.5 mbps is NOT "guaranteed". I am told that the mbps speed is actually "UP TO" 1.5 mbps. Does that mean for extended periods of time I may have little or no internet service? It has been getting gradually worse, I suspect, because there is only so much bandwidth available to users on TDS DSL in my area and the more people they sign up for DSL the less bandwidth there is for everyone. Therefore, make it work properly or be honest with subscribers that the service may not work anywhere near what is "advertised" at times. I expect to be able to consistently get no less than 1.0 mbps, not close to ZERO a lot of the time. If it is an equipment issue, fix it. I expect this problem to be resolved for me.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/27/2025

  TDS advertises that DSL speeds and availability vary.  Speed plans are up to.  We have a future network upgrade project as related to the Enhanced Connect America Fund.  It is early in the planning stages of the project and we do not yet have a timeline for the project completion.  In the meantime, alternatives could include ViaSat, *********, Starlink or wireless providers.  We apologize that we are not able to offer a faster internet service plan at this time.  Thank you

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/29/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. 

  This does nothing to remedy their poor DSL internet service.  They should not keep adding more DSL customers to the existing limited service since each new subscriber degrades the limited amount of bandwidth available for all those who use it.  I am sure TDS will not disclose this practice, since new subscribers bring in additional revenue even though new customers don't realize they will NOT get what is being paid for. It is false advertising to use the phrase "speeds UP TO" and not be able to deliver anywhere near the consistent internet speeds customers think they might get and need.  From my prospective it is "fraud" sugar coated by the shameless "UP TO" disclaimer.

  
  
  Regards,
  
  **** ******

  Business Response

  Date: 07/07/2025

  I am sorry Mr. ****** is dissatisfied. This is not an issue of over consumption/insufficient ************. ****** is a rural area and the serving equipment is too far away for faster speeds. Our technician was dispatched on 6/19/25 and the connection trained up to 2MB on his test equipment. When the technician provided a new modem, the **** speed-test was 1.3 down and .700 up. This is well within the expectation for this service given the excessive distance, which is up to 1.5MB down. **** speed-tests are less reliable. On 6/22/25 Mr. ****** contacted Repair with connection issues. Repair offered troubleshooting and confirmed a working connection. Mr. ****** had issues with a **** speed-test. Our Repair advisor explained the limitations with **** speed-tests. We recommend direct connection for a speed-test. If Mr. ****** is still having difficulty with his connection,at his convenience he may call Repair (available 24x7) at ************.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/24/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  TDS has been hosing customers in our area for decades. They offer "lifetime rates" for new customers while their loyal customers bills keep rising. We called this spring to get a "lifetime rate". Then a couple months later our bill jumps again. We called and were told that the online pay discount doesn't include online payments unless they are set up as autopay. So we set up auto pay. The next bill came and it's double what the higher rate was. We call and somehow the auto pay didn't take. Supposedly it was fixed (we paid two more months on the higher rate). Now the email came for the July payment and it's still $20 higher than what was promised on our "lifetime rate" and the autopay is setup. I'm so disgusted by these companies that just continue to nickel and dime loyal customers without any recourse from government to keep public services in check. We are in a rural community with limited options when it comes to services like phone and internet. Even our cell phone service is shotty at best in this area. We've been a TDS customer for over 17 years at this location we live currently. I've always paid my bill on time. But they just keep charging us more each month...without anyone to stop them. Empty promises because they don't hold to their agreement. We're just supposed to pay it? Our bill is supposed to be between $60 and $67 a month...Our July bill is $81.69. They were charging us $70 since March when we called to ask why they weren't honoring the lifetime rate we agreed on in September. It's still not fixed and we're paying more now on the July bill.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/27/2025

  Ms.
  Pleet does have our newest Price for Life promotion on her data only. The price
  for internet is locked in for data only, does not include any taxes, equipment
  or fees associated with the account. At the time that the Price for Life
  promotion was added, the account did not qualify for any additional discounts,
  but they were inadvertently added.  The auto
  pay discount was removed as the account did not qualify but TDS did add a
  courtesy credit in the amount of an additional $10.00 off for the next year. This
  was our advisor error and we do apologize Ms. Pleet was not contacted to be made
  aware of billing. That advisor has been coached. We are sorry for the inconvenience.  Thank you

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/30/2025

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 23512036, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 

  I will be watching my monthly fees closely.  I have tried to cancel my phone landline in the past because we rarely use it but TDS says they will charge us more than double what the landline costs us now just for the line for the internet if we cancel the phone portion.  Sad, that a business that I've been loyal to for over 17 years treats customers this way.  We have to constantly watch our bills to make sure they aren't sneaking in added fees.
  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  
  Sarah Pleet

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/20/2025

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I tried to call TDS about the payment arrangement. **************** told me not be pay ****** in 2 weeks. **************** told me i dead beat customer. They told me pay 200 in 3 weeks. They could not help. I was a loser customer

  Business Response

  Date: 06/27/2025

  Our Manager of Financial Services reviewed all the calls for Mr. ****** and never once did any of our advisors treat Mr. ****** poorly, there was no name calling. Our financial service advisor reviewed billing and offered a payment plan but ********* could not make that work. He then transferred to our supervisor who did create a payment plan and noted the account that customer was mailing a check. We do apologize for any inconvenience.  Thank you

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/17/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On or about May 29, 2025 I called TDS to pay my regular monthly internet charges. When they told me my total ($286) it was more than I expected and I asked why and they said they could not see my bill. Believing I owed the money I paid it. After the money had been paid they sent me to another operator to reconnect services although I was surprised they had been terminated. As they asked me for information they realized that they had charged me for charges relating to my old address. I moved from that address years ago and moved my service with me when I did. I NEVER agreed to pay that bill and now my true internet bill remains unpaid. They have disconnected my service and every time I call (6 times now!) they say ***** (a supervisor) will call me back. He never ever has.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/27/2025

  Our senior team reviewed billing for Ms. ********* No payments have been made to the account since 2/6/25. The payment on 2/6 was $209.84 and that was for service from 2/8-3/7 which also included a previous balance.  3/22 billing included a previous balance of $99.62 and current charges for a balance due of $146.42, no payment. The 4/22 billing is $246.71, no payment. New bill for service date of 5/21 6/21 $347.00,no payment. New bill for service 6/22 7/21 $459.65, no payment. Services were non pay suspended on 6/10. There is no charge for equipment on any of the bills since the service has not been disconnected. All charges are for her current address of ************************************************************* We do apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/13/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  During the ******** Fair in 2019, a new start-up business had a booth called TDS, promising to bring fiber connections to the entire canyon area. They said for the low price of 25 dollars I would enjoy fiber by next spring. Well, of course, covid happened, and things got pushed back. I saw the same booth the next year in 2020, and they said Thank you for registering by next year we will be in your area. well this song and dance happened until 2023 when the construction started, yet they went under my house but did not connect me. They connected the other half of the street, but my side didn't get connected. When the trucks left I called the office and was told they are never building my side due to a lack of interest. That, unless I get more people to sign up we would never get connected. I asked for my money back, and they said that it will make the build even slower. Though I did get my money back, I feel this hostage situation and poor business techniques are horrible. I talked to a manager, and he said Oh, that's wrong info By October 1, 2025, we would be connected. Yet the company today said nope, I have to go recruit if they want us to build. It's holding us hostage and not leaving us equal access.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/26/2025

  Mr.Flynns area is still in our build footprint and planned to be built. Currently we have a planned delivery of October 2026, but this date is subject to change.We do apologize for any inconvenience. We have requested a refund of his deposit of $25.00. The refund will be mailed to Mr. ***** in the form of a prepaid card. Thank you
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/09/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Responded to a flyer from TDS for internet service at $29.95 per month for 600 MBPS. Was told all equipment and installation fees included with one month free for a period of two years with no contract. However, first bill came in at $75.06 and the monthly charge went up to $44.94 due to equipment rental. I was told no installation charges and not equipment rental. I was paying about $60/monthly. I would have not switched to TDS if I knew the charges would not match the flyer nor what i was promised when setting this account up on May 12, 2025. Spreading out the extra charges for 24 months will make the total monthly charges $48.07. I was lied to and the flyer is false advertisement. TDS should only charge me $29.95 per month with one free month, so for only 23 months with appropriate taxes applied. TDS should refund the $75.06. Also, I was told the "free month" occurred during the time period when I first called in until the activation date which occurred about three weeks after the May 12th call. A line had to be buried from the access box they put in my yard (which TDS never asked about whether they could or not), The money I am asking for is the difference between the current monthly fee and the flyer amount over 24 months plus the extra fees charged.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/16/2025

  Our senior reached out to Mr. Freeman. They
  discussed his account and what transpired for the billing. Mr. Freeman was
  offered a credit for using TDS equipment, he accepted and he will see that
  credit reflected on his next billing. We do apologize for the misunderstanding.  Thank you
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/04/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Internet provider not providing contracted service. I am not able to conduct work or enjoy streaming with the feeble internet provided.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/10/2025

  TDS advertises that DSL speeds and availability vary.  Speed plans are up to.  We have a future network upgrade project as related to the Enhanced Connect America Fund.  It is early in the planning stages of the project and we do not yet have a timeline for the project completion. In the meantime,alternatives could include ViaSat, *********, ******** or wireless providers.  We apologize that we are not able to offer a faster internet service plan at this time.  We do welcome Ms. ****** to contact TDS to review her current package. Thank you