What UK Communications Act 2003 - Ofcom Licensing, Electronic Communications, and Broadcasting Regulation requires
The Communications Act 2003 (c. 21) is the principal legislation governing electronic communications networks and services (ECNS), broadcasting, and the regulation of communications in the United Kingdom. The Act establishes Ofcom (Office of Communications) as the UK's converged communications regulator under Section 1 and sets out its general duties in Section 3, including the primary duty to further the interests of citizens and consumers. Part 2 establishes a general authorisation regime for electronic communications: providers may provide ECNS without a specific licence subject to registration and general conditions set by Ofcom under Section 45. Ofcom may set access and interconnection conditions (Section 73), significant market power (SMP) conditions (Section 45), and universal service conditions on designated providers. Part 3 regulates television and radio broadcasting services. Section 127 prohibits the sending of grossly offensive, obscene, or menacing communications by means of a public electronic communications network. The Act has been extensively amended by the Digital Economy Act 2017, the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, and the Online Safety Act 2023.
Pillar: Telecoms & Digital Infrastructure · Authority: Ofcom (Office of Communications); Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) · Version: 1.0.0 · Last updated:
Primary source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/contents
SHA-256 integrity: c658ce353072deb538188f7b6f8a9942851a5ca3ea4639a184c2d7cb09dbdaf4
Primary Citations — 7 traced to source
- Communications Act 2003 (c. 21) - in force 25 July 2003; establishes Ofcom under Section 1; Part 2 electronic communications general authorisation; Part 3 broadcasting regulation; Section 127 offensive communications
- Communications Act 2003 Section 3 - Ofcom general duties: further interests of citizens and consumers; promote competition; secure the availability of a wide range of electronic communications services
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