Customers who have faulty broadband or landline service will be compensated automatically if repairs are delayed.
Ofcom's research found only one in seven customers get compensated if their provider delays repairs or installations, or if an engineer does not arrive for an appointment.
But now the largest broadband and landline companies have signed up to a scheme, agreeing to automatically pay compensation to customers when things go wrong with their phone or internet.
Ofcom chief executive Sharon White said: "We think it's unacceptable that people should be kept waiting for a new line, or a fault to be fixed.
"These new protections mean phone and broadband firms will want to avoid problems occurring in the first place.
"But if they fall short, customers must be treated fairly and given money back, without having to ask for it."
BT, Sky , TalkTalk, Virgin Media and Zen Internet had already signed up to the scheme, Ofcom said, adding that Hyperoptic and Vodafone have also agreed to the new terms, and will start paying compensation automatically later this year.
Combined, the companies provide broadband and landline for 95% of UK customers.
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