Communications Act 2003

[F1 96C. Enforcement of notification under section 96A U.K.

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a person has been given a notification under section 96A;

(b) OFCOM have allowed the person an opportunity to make representations about the matters notified; and

(c) the period allowed for the making of representations has expired.

(2) OFCOM may—

(a) give the person a decision (a “confirmation decision”) confirming the imposition of requirements on the person, or the giving of a direction to the person, or both, in accordance with the notification under section 96A; or

(b) inform the person that they are satisfied with the person’s representations and that no further action will be taken.

(3) OFCOM may not give a confirmation decision to a person unless, after considering any representations, they are satisfied that the person has, in one or more of the respects notified, been in contravention of a condition [F2 or commitment] specified in the notification under section 96A.

(4) A confirmation decision—

(a) must be given to the person without delay;

(b) must include reasons for the decision;

(c) may require immediate action by the person to comply with requirements of a kind mentioned in section 96A(2)(d), or may specify a period within which the person must comply with those requirements; and

(d) may require the person to pay—

(i) the penalty specified in the notification under section 96A, or

(ii) such lesser penalty as OFCOM consider appropriate in the light of the person’s representations or steps taken by the person to comply with the [F3 condition or commitment or to] remedy the consequences of the contravention, and

may specify the period within which the penalty is to be paid.

(5) It is the duty of the person to comply with any requirement imposed by a confirmation decision.

(6) That duty is enforceable in civil proceedings by OFCOM—

(a) for an injunction;

(b) for specific performance of a statutory duty under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988; or

(c) for any other appropriate remedy or relief.

(7) A penalty imposed by a confirmation decision—

(a) must be paid to OFCOM; and

(b) if not paid within the period specified by them, is to be recoverable by them accordingly.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 96A-96C inserted (26.5.2011) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 55 (with Sch. 3 paras. 2, 13)

F2 Words in s. 96C(3) inserted (21.12.2020) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy (Amendment) (European Electronic Communications Code and EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 46(2)

F3 Words in s. 96C(4)(d)(ii) substituted (21.12.2020) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy (Amendment) (European Electronic Communications Code and EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 46(3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Ss. 96A-97 applied (6.4.2023) by The Trade (Mobile Roaming) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/214), regs. 1(b), 7(2)