Financial grievances about communication services also dominated the first three months of the year, with claims for losses and financial hardship arrangements soaring.
The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman revealed details of the issues on Thursday in a report that also showed complaints about access to triple zero persisted, though at lower levels.
The report follows a regulatory debate over what telecommunications carriers can claim as 4G and 5G mobile access, and rules about coverage maps from the Australian Communications and Media Authority that will be introduced on June 30.
The ombudsman received more than 14,000 complaints about telecommunication services between January and March, representing a marginal increase from the end of 2025.
But mobile phone services drew the greatest number of complaints at more than 6700, rising by 5.7 per cent.
Complaints about delays in connecting mobile phones rose by 31 per cent during the quarter, while issues with having no phone or internet access jumped by 25 per cent.
Having such a vital device disconnected could be upsetting and had the potential to cause stress, missed opportunities, and work challenges, ombudsman Cynthia Gebert said.
''It's concerning that mobile complaint numbers keep getting higher,'' she said.
''When people can't use their mobile, it disrupts access to basic necessities and stops people getting on with their lives.''
More than 340 people lodged complaints about their access triple zero or emergency services – down from 400 – and complaints about Samsung phone updates or replacements to access the service dropped from 185 to 119.
Claims for compensation rose during the first three months of the year, up by 32 per cent, while financial hardship complaints climbed by 25 per cent despite dropping during the previous quarter.
Telcos should proactively offer help and communicate with customers to avoid spiralling issues, Ms Gebert said.
''We often see a single phone or internet problem turn into many,'' she said.
''By the time people reach us, a single setback could have turned into real financial stress.''
More than 280 people also reported problems with digital platforms to the ombudsman during the three-month period, even though the organisation is not equipped to resolve them.
Most complaints involved account access and transaction disputes, the report said, with Foxtel, Meta and Microsoft attracting the highest number of reports.
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