Complaints

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

close

Find a Location

TDS has 52 locations, listed below.

*This company may be headquartered in or have additional locations in another country. Please click on the country abbreviation in the search box below to change to a different country location.

BBB accredited

Near

Country

USUnited States

Please enter a valid location.

Filter

• 

  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

  212 S Webster St Augusta, MI 49012-9770

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:08/29/2022

  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 Fiber approach me over a year ago and got me to sign up for service. I was told if I deposited $25 I would have my internet installed by Spring of 2021 then it went to summer and never happened. At the beginning of this year I asked to get my money back and the representative that told me I would be able to get it back if I changed my mind said I just needed to call into customer service who sent me to the finance side. Who then said I needed to contact the local representative who also sent me back to them again. Then they would not give me my money back until I told them the area rep said they would. They then said they would mail me a **** card for $25 but I have not received it since. I just called again and now there is no record like I never existed.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/07/2022

  Response to file# ********.
  
  Unfortunately, there have been some delays with our construction projects in the ***** area. We are continuing our efforts to build a fiber network in ***** and other nearby areas in *****. The $25 registration fee is collected to prioritize fiber construction in neighborhoods with the most interest that have been confirmed with the registration fees. Once installed, the customer receives a $25.00 credit on their account. We have issued a refund for ****************** for the $25 registration fee on 8/25/22. It will take a couple of weeks to be processed and mailed. I apologize for the inconvenience.
  
  Thank you.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/07/2022

  [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 when I receive the $25 and am still waiting for it. Once it has been received, I will be satisfied but I hate that it had to come to this point just to get it. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/26/2022

  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've had TDS internet for a few years now. When signing up with them they tried to tell me that I had to lease their modem for their 700mb down plan. I explained to them that I had my own equipment and didn't need it. They explained to me that it was -policy so I had to use it and be charged for the lease. After several visits by one of their techs to get the speed I was paying for I finally just told the tech I was going to use my own equipment. We tested the service with my own equipment and I was finally getting acceptable speeds. Upon ending his last visit with us, since I was no longer using the equipment, I gave the unit to the tech to return to TDS. In the neighborhood that I currently reside in we got a new ISP offering faster service for a better price. Upon canceling my service with TDS I was told that my final bill was going to be $104.15, which I was more than happy to pay. I then received a notice that included a charge for a modem/router that they claimed I still had. Note, I gave the unit back to the tech after his visit concluded at my house more than 2 years ago. So I called TDS up to resolve the error and they told me there was nothing they could do since, according to their system, I still had the unit. They then proceeded to tell me that it was against policy to give equipment to their techs for return. I explained to them that I don't have the unit and the refused to do anything about that. They finally conceded to check their inventory again and they would get back to me the next day on what our next steps should be. The next time I hear from them? I got a letter in the mail weeks later telling me that still owe for the equipment I don't have.Judging from other reviews on BBB and other sites TDS seems to have pattern of trying to do this to their customers.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/30/2022

  We are sorry to hear of **************************** dissatisfaction. Our Advisor contacted ************************** and advised that we will issue a credit to reverse the equipment charge.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/26/2022

  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 scheduled an appointment to have internet services installed/configured by TDS Telecom on August 26, 2022. On the initial sales call I identified that my grandfather is dead and I have no access to his accounts. Yesterday I received a call from a TDS agent named ***** that I could not have internet setup because there was "already service to this address" even though I asked ***** on the initial call to cancel my dead grandfather's account as my dead grandfather is unable to do so.***** agreed to cancel my grandfather's account and I explicitly (multiple times) confirmed that this would not have any impact/effect on my appointment scheduled for August 26, 2022 from 1p-3p. After nobody showed up on August 26, I called TDS and spoke to **** who informed me that ***** had actually cancelled my scheduled installation BEFORE calling me (and discussing my dead grandfather's account). I asked **** how soon she could get the service out because they scheduled to cancel my dead grandfather's account on 8/31 (leaving the residence with NO internet service). **** informed me that even though they agreed ***** INCORRECTLY cancelled my account, the soonest they could get someone out to service the address is now September 20, 2022 (25 days later). ******, the TDS supervisor, also offered a $50 credit on the account as if that would somehow come close to compensation for the issue. Also, the issue WAS NEVER the cost of the monthly bill/service, I care about the availability of the service. Their lack of compassion for making such an imbesilic mistake is understandable - they are a cable company. Their lack of professionalism in handling a mistake they are responsible for is unacceptable, especially with the number of times I explicitly made the difference between me and my dead grandfather VERY clear.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/07/2022

  Response to file# ********.
  
  I apologize for the confusion with the order. Our **************** team was able to set the new installation date on 8/31/22.  
  
  Thank you.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/09/2022

  [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.  It is upsetting that I was confused with a dead relative but I appreciate TDS' efforts to resolve the issue sooner.
  
  Regards,
  
  *******************************
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/26/2022

  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.

  TDS is installing fiber lines in my subdivision, ******, in ********, **. On 8/24/22 they damaged my front yard landscaping. Not only did they damage my shrubs, when I returned home, both of my garbage cans were on my lawn and NOT in the street where I had left them ( this is my garbage pickup day). In addition they left 2 large pieces of some type of equipment. On 8/25/22, they drilled a whole in the street in front of my house & placed the piece of concrete they removed in my yard.TDS needs to replace my shrubs that were damaged & clean up the mess that they left. This company needs to be put out of business. I have read MANY bad ******************** from people. I am not a customer & have NO intention of using their services. I am NOT sure who authorized them to do the installation in my subdivision, but they too should be held responsible for the damages residents are incurring.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/07/2022

  Response to file# ********.
  
  I apologize for the inconvenience. We asked our contractor *** to resolve the matter and they are reaching out to ********************. We are tracking the issue with Ticket# ********.
  
  Thank you.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/24/2022

  Type:Product 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.

  Had TDS fiber service for 12 months. Moving out of apartment on August 31 and paid through September 22. Called to arrange termination of service on August 24 to be completed on August 31. Agent immediately terminated my service upon hanging up. Needless to say I need internet for next week and they won't prorate or refund what I've paid. Now can't get it back on through the 31st so have to arrange other internet for work. Terrible customer service, long wait times on hold, and no resolution....

  Business Response

  Date: 08/30/2022

  We apologize for the early termination of Mr. ************* service.  Service was restored on 8/25 and a $10 credit has been applied to his account for the inconvenience.  Thank you.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/24/2022

  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.

  In early July TDS installed fiber from the street to my house. The sub-contracted crew who did this did not talk to me and ran the line to the wrong location. They took a route I did not want and tore up my lawn while doing it. After complaining to TDS, they sent out another crew to run a new line to the house. They took the route I approved but tore up my lawn and heaved my blacktop driveway when boring under it.I have been in contact with TDS repeatedly and they say they will have a contractor come out to fix the damage but nothing has been resolved. I just keep getting excuses about how these crews are sub contracted out.My account number is ************

  Business Response

  Date: 09/06/2022

  Response to file# ********.
  
  We asked our contractor to follow up with ****************** and address his concerns. Our contractor ***** with ************* informed us that he met with ****************** on his property and they went over the what was needed for resolution. We are tracking the issue with Ticket# ********. We apologize for the inconvenience.
  
  Thank you.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/24/2022

  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.

  TDS buried fiber optic lines in our back yard starting in winter '21, spring '22 using an excavator. This caused damage in our backyard that changed topography and damaged buried drainage systems with resultant water issues in our back yard. Unable to mow the area all summer and continued pooling and dampness in the area. Several phone calls, many hours, repeated assertions "we're escalating this", contractors coming to assess, take pictures, make promises to come and repair but still no resolution all summer! On my phone call today the attendant suggested we call the contractor in charge of repairs ourselves but had no number to call or reference we could give them for context! We need this fixed and have been very patient...A separate but related issue: I decided to sign up for the fiber optic option once I was assured the repairs would be underway. I arranged and informed the install service about our dog fence and sprinkler. I was assured we would be given ***** hours notice so I could mark sprinkler heads and dog fence (shouldn't that be the installer's job anyway?). Phone message gave notice in advance but the installer showed up two days early, unannounced, dug and buried the line to our home breaking our dog fence. We called to register another complaint a week ago and still no repair of that new problem. Last, when the final install of service was scheduled to occur, the installer never showed up! Abysmal service and communication between phone attendants and people on the ground.I requested some compensation for our troubles to date but all I got was a suggestion to get the work done myself and then seek reimbursement from TDS. I opted not.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/06/2022

  Response to file# ********.
  
  We engaged our contractors involved in the construction at ****************** location.Our contractor from Westshore, ***** ******, reached out to ****************** to arrange a time to repair the dog fence. Our mainline contractor (******)engaged a landscaping company (********) to restore the landscaping. I apologize for the inconvenience. We are tracking the issue with ticket numbers ******** and 16753780.
  
  Thank you.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/24/2022

  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.

  The high speed internet provided to me by TDS is abysmal. My download speed ranges from 0.5-0.8 Mbps. I cannot use the internet with more than one device in my home, some streaming channels don't work because they can't register an internet connection, several others are constantly buffering. I have been told that I am on the outer radius of two stations so that is the reason for my slow speeds. Others in my town receive speeds up to 100+ Mbps and pay the same price as I do for the coverage. Through the years, I have called the company repeatedly. I have had new routers installed. I have had lines updated. I've had my existing hardware serviced. While the upgrades have helped minimally, the main issue of painfully slow speeds remains. In the most recent time reaching out, I was told that my area was due for an upgrade and could expect faster speeds soon. That never transpired. A technician was sent to my house to update a few things, but still, slow speeds. One thing I will say positive about TDS is that they hire reliable, helpful, courteous and hard working technicians. The man in our area is amazing and truly goes over and above. Unfortunately, he is working for a company that doesn't seem to care about their customers equally.Unfortunately, the only true high speed internet available to me is TDS, so I have no other real options. I am incredibly frustrated by the lack of compassion from this company, and would switch providers in a heartbeat if I had other options. It's incredibly unjust to charge me the same amount for subpar services compared to seemingly premier service. I just want reliable high speed internet as promised. I'm tired of going through the TDS representatives and seeing NO improvement to my services. I feel as though I should be provided the same service provided to many others in my community as we all pay the same price.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/30/2022

  TDS advertises that DSL speeds and availability vary.  Speed plans are up to.  We have a network upgrade project under way and tentatively expect to complete the project early next year.  We also partner with DISH Network and can offer their dishNet satellite internet service.  Other alternatives could include ViaSat, Hughesnet 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: 08/30/2022

  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.
  
  With all due respect, I do not accept this response.  To start, I have already been told by TDS representatives that upgrades would be done in my area a year ago.  If anything, the service you provide has gotten worse since that conversation. Responding that you have an upgrade project on the way is ambiguous.  It offers no definite hope that it will improve my specific service and may be interpreted as deceiving based on previous conversations I've had with your company.  You are correct, there are alternative internet in my area that are available.  However, several of those listed are even less reliable than TDS.  Additionally, from what I understand - DishNET must be paired with *************** Services.  I'm not looking to be locked into a cable plan to receive quality internet service.  If so, my initial complaint still stands with one edit "Unfortunately, the only TRUE high speed internet available to me is TDS, so I have no other REAL options." As it is the one choice that is at least 0.5 Mbps and isn't tied to additional contracts.  

  All I hear in this response is a bunch of technicalities.  Yes, technically you do offer "up to speeds", but that doesn't address my complaint.  A company that truly cares about their customers would make every effort to improve the quality of the services provided.  This has been a problem in my specific area of community for as long as I've lived at my current residence.  All I am asking is for service comparable to other people in my community and making good on the promises of improving service.   My initial request still stands.  I am asking TDS to improve the quality of the service equally in my area with a guarantee of faster speeds.  Alternatively, I believe a lower monthly payment should be offered for subpar internet services.

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

  Business Response

  Date: 09/06/2022

  We are sorry Mr. **** is dissatisfied. Construction projects have been delayed due to supply chain issues from the pandemic over the past couple of years. Other alternatives could include wireless hot spot if a satellite carrier term is unacceptable. Mr. **** currently subscribes to a speed plan of up to 1.5MB.Because of excessive distance of his rural location to our serving equipment,we do not have a faster speed plan to offer at this time. We do have a project well under way that will deploy a new equipment node closer to his home. This is anticipated to be completed early next year. In the meantime, if Mr. **** is experiencing slower than normal speed, he may call Repair to test and optimize his existing connection. The last Repair trouble report was in 2020. Speedtests should be completed with a wired connection and not over WIFI as WIFI can experience interference. Additionally, Mr. **** has a very low long-term promotional rate which cannot be discounted further. This monthly rate is one dollar more than what we charge for dial up. Dial up (up to .056MB) is the only other option we have right now.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/07/2022

  [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. Based on the response I will remain optimistic that the new node will improve my speeds.  I appreciate the acknowledgement that my area is underserviced at this time, but steps are being taken to remedy this.  I feel it important to note, that while my location is considered rural, so is the entirety of my community - Much of which receive much faster internet speeds.  The tone of the response suggests that I'm an outlier, which is not the case.    I will also reach out to TDS and their technical team to see about what can be done to improve my speeds at this time.  Yes, the last time I did reach out to the company was 2020.  I am hopeful the reason for bringing that up wasn't indicating that I haven't done enough to ensure quality internet.  I will follow up with this concern during the first quarter of next year (2023) if improvements haven't been made.
  
  Regards,
  
  *********************
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/22/2022

  Type:Customer Service 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 originally signed up for Fiber Internet service on May 21, 2021. As of today, August 21, 2022, I still do not have the service installed. There have been technicians sent to my house on 3 occasions, and in every instance, they could not complete the connection because the fiber had been run incorrectly. The last attempt was on August 1st, 2022 and after 3 weeks there has not been a follow up call updating status. I have tried to reach out to them, but simply get placed on hold after explaining the issue with their customer service person.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/30/2022

  
  We apologize for the delay in processing this install. The order was completed on 8/26. This issue is considered resolved.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/30/2022

  [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:08/20/2022

  Type:Order 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 TELECOM IS NOT CHARGING ME THE CORRECT AMOUNT FOR MY INTERNET SERVICE, I have been qualified for the *** GOVERNMENT PROGRAM, but they continue to charge me full price for my service! When they put in their underground line they did NOT DO AN ELECTRICAL CHECK TO FIND OUT IF THERE WERE ANY UNDERGROUND WIRES! They cut through my electrical to my well pump and left me and my family without water for 5 days!! I had a well pump company come out and paid them $417,00 to find the problem! TDS REFUSES TO CORRECT MY BILL AND PAY ME FOR THE AMOUNT I PAID TO HAVE THE WELL AND PUMP CHECKED!! They are a horrible company and are not following Federal Guidelines for the *** DISCOUNT

  Business Response

  Date: 08/24/2022

  Response to file# ********.
  
  We apologize for the delay to implement the *** credit. The credit has been added as of 8/5/22 and the customer will see the credit on their next bill.
  
  Thank you.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/24/2022

  [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,
  
  ***********************