Communications Act 2003

241 Television multiplex services

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, references in Part 1 of the 1996 Act to a multiplex service, other than those comprised in express references to a general multiplex service, shall have effect as references to any service (“a television multiplex service”) which—

(a) falls within subsection (2); and

(b) is provided for broadcasting for general reception but otherwise than from a satellite.

(2) A service falls within this subsection if—

(a) it consists in the packaging together of two or more services which include at least one relevant television service and are provided for inclusion together in the service by a combination of the relevant information in digital form; or

(b) it is a service provided with a view to its being a service falling within paragraph (a) but is one in the case of which only one service is for the time being comprised in digital form in what is provided.

(3) The provision, at a time after the commencement of this section, of a television multiplex service the provision of which is not authorised by or under a licence under Part 1 of the 1996 Act is not to be an offence under section 13 of the 1990 Act.

(4) Accordingly, after the commencement of this section, a licence under Part 1 of the 1996 Act shall be required for the provision of a television multiplex service only in so far as it is required for the purposes of a limitation falling within subsection (5) that is contained in a wireless telegraphy licence, or is deemed to be so contained.

(5) A limitation falls within this subsection, in relation to a wireless telegraphy licence, if it provides that the only television multiplex services that are authorised to be broadcast using the station or apparatus to which the licence relates are those that are licensed under Part 1 of the 1996 Act.

(6) Where immediately before the coming into force of this section—

(a) a television multiplex service is licensed under Part 1 of the 1996 Act; and

(b) that service is one broadcast using a station or apparatus the use of which is authorised by a wireless telegraphy licence,

that wireless telegraphy licence shall be deemed to contain a limitation falling within subsection (5).

(7) In any case where a wireless telegraphy licence is deemed by virtue of subsection (6) to contain a limitation falling within subsection (5) and the person providing the television multiplex service in question—

(a) ceases to be licensed under Part 1 of the 1996 Act in respect of that service, or

(b) ceases to exist,

OFCOM may revoke the wireless telegraphy licence.

(8) Subsection (7) is not to be construed as restricting the powers of revocation exercisable apart from this section.

(9) In subsection (2) “relevant television service” means any of the following—

(a) any Channel 3 service in digital form;

(b) Channel 4 in digital form;

(c) Channel 5 in digital form;

(d) S4C Digital;

(e) any digital television programme service;

(f) the digital public teletext service.