IndiaA telecom company is providing substandard service. Where do I complain?
You can file a complaint with the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) or the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, depending on the nature and value of your grievance.
What the Law Says
Indian law provides multiple statutory avenues to address substandard telecom services, primarily under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act and the Consumer Protection Act.
Under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997, TRAI is mandated to protect consumer interests and ensure quality of service. It requires telecom service providers to adhere to Quality of Service (QoS) standards notified by TRAI — failure to comply may result in penalties.
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 empowers consumers to file complaints before District, State, or National Commissions based on the value of the claim and compensation sought. For telecom-related deficiencies in service, consumers are treated as 'consumers' under this law.
The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) was established under Section 14 of the TRAI Act to adjudicate disputes between telecom service providers and consumers — especially where regulatory remedies are exhausted or involve substantial questions of law.
Statutory TextThe Tribunal shall, without prejudice to the provisions of any other law for the time being in force, have jurisdiction to adjudicate any dispute between a licensor and a licensee, a service provider and a group of consumers, or between service providers.
— Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997, s. 14 — Establishment and jurisdiction of the Tribunal
Statutory TextA complaint alleging deficiency in service may be filed by a consumer before the District Commission if the value of the goods or services and the compensation claimed does not exceed ₹1 crore.
— Consumer Protection Act, 2019, s. 34 — Jurisdiction of District Commission
What to Do
First, register your complaint with the telecom company’s customer care (mandatory first step under TRAI’s Grievance Redressal Regulations).
If unresolved within 15 days, escalate to TRAI’s online portal (https://trai.gov.in/complaint) or call 1925 (toll-free).
For compensation claims up to ₹1 crore, file a complaint with the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission using the e-Daakhil portal (https://edaakhil.nic.in).
For complex disputes involving regulatory interpretation or large-scale service failure, approach TDSAT within 30 days of the cause of action — no fee for individual consumers.
Keep all evidence: bills, call logs, complaint reference numbers, and screenshots of service degradation (e.g., speed test results).
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.