Part 2U.K.Regulation of radio spectrum

Chapter 3U.K.Management of radio spectrum

Statistical informationU.K.

32Statistical informationU.K.

(1) OFCOM may require a person who is using or has established, installed or used a wireless telegraphy station or wireless telegraphy apparatus to provide OFCOM with all such information relating to—

(a)the establishment, installation or use of the station or apparatus, and

(b)any related matters,

as OFCOM may require for statistical purposes.

(2)Subsection (1) has effect subject to the following provisions of this section.

(3) OFCOM may not require the provision of information under this section except—

(a)by a demand for information that sets out OFCOM's reasons for requiring the information and the statistical purposes for which it is required; and

(b)where the making of a demand for that information is proportionate to the use to which the information is to be put in the carrying out of OFCOM's functions.

(4)A demand for information required under this section must be contained in a notice given to the person from whom the information is required.

(5)A person required to give information under this section must provide it in such manner and within such reasonable period as may be specified by OFCOM.

[F132A.Information required for purposes of radio spectrum functionsU.K.

(1) OFCOM may require a person falling within subsection (2) to provide them with all such information as they consider necessary for the purpose of carrying out their radio spectrum functions.

(2)The persons falling within this subsection are—

(a)a person who is using, or has established, installed or used a wireless telegraphy station or wireless telegraphy apparatus, and

(b) any other person who appears to OFCOM to have information required by them for the purposes of their radio spectrum functions.

(3) The information that may be required by OFCOM under subsection (1) includes, in particular, information that they require to ascertain whether a contravention has occurred of—

(a)a term, provision or limitation specified in regulations under section 8, or

(b)a term, provision or limitation of a wireless telegraphy licence.

(4) A person required to provide information under this section must provide it in such manner and within such reasonable period as may be specified by OFCOM.

(5)The powers in this section are subject to the limitations in section 32B.

Textual Amendments

32B.Restrictions on imposing information requirementsU.K.

(1)This section limits the purposes for which, and manner in which, information may be required under section 32A.

(2) OFCOM are not to require the provision of information for the purpose of ascertaining whether a contravention of a term, provision or limitation has occurred or is occurring, unless—

(a) the requirement is imposed for the purpose of investigating a matter about which OFCOM have received a complaint;

(b)the requirement is imposed for the purposes of an investigation that OFCOM have decided to carry out into whether or not the term, provision or limitation in question has been complied with;

(c) the term, provision or limitation in question is one which OFCOM have reason to suspect has been or is being contravened;

(d)the term, provision or limitation in question relates to the effective and efficient use of frequencies; or

(e) the term, provision or limitation in question relates to sums payable to OFCOM in respect of a wireless telegraphy licence.

(3) OFCOM are not to require the provision of information except—

(a) by a demand for the information that describes the required information and sets out OFCOM’s reasons for requiring it; and

(b) where the making of a demand for the information is proportionate to the use to which the information is to be put in the carrying out of OFCOM's functions.

(4)A demand for information must be contained in a notice served on the person from whom the information is required.

Textual Amendments

32C.Notification of contravention of information requirementsU.K.

(1) Where OFCOM determine that there are reasonable grounds for believing that a person is contravening, or has contravened, a requirement imposed under section 32A, they may give that person a notification under this section.

(2)A notification under this section is one which—

(a) sets out the determination made by OFCOM;

(b)specifies the requirement and contravention in respect of which the determination has been made;

(c)specifies the period during which the person notified has an opportunity to make representations;

(d) specifies information to be provided by the person to OFCOM; and

(e) specifies any penalty which OFCOM are minded to impose in accordance with section 32D.

(3)A notification under this section—

(a)may be given in respect of more than one contravention; and

(b)if it is given in respect of a continuing contravention, may be given in respect of any period during which the contravention has continued.

(4) Where a notification under this section has been given to a person in respect of a contravention of a requirement, OFCOM may give a further notification in respect of the same contravention of that requirement if, and only if—

(a)the contravention is one occurring after the time of the giving of the earlier notification;

(b)the contravention is a continuing contravention and the subsequent notification is in respect of so much of a period as falls after a period to which the earlier notification relates; or

(c)the earlier notification has been withdrawn without a penalty having been imposed in respect of the notified contravention.

Textual Amendments

32D.Penalties for contravention of information requirementsU.K.

(1)This section applies where a person is given a notification under section 32C which specifies a proposed penalty.

(2) OFCOM may specify a penalty only if no proceedings for an offence under section 33 have been brought against the person in respect of the contravention.

(3)Where the notification relates to more than one contravention, a separate penalty may be specified in respect of each contravention.

(4)Where the notification relates to a continuing contravention, no more than one penalty may be specified in respect of the period of contravention specified in the notification.

(5)But, in relation to a continuing contravention, a penalty may be specified in respect of each day on which the contravention continues after—

(a)the giving of a confirmation decision under section 32E(4)(c) which requires immediate action; or

(b)the expiry of any period specified in the confirmation decision for complying with a requirement so specified.

(6) The amount of a penalty under subsection (5) is to be such amount not exceeding £20,000 per day as OFCOM determine to be—

(a)appropriate; and

(b)proportionate to the contravention in respect of which it is imposed

(7) The amount of any other penalty specified under this section is to be such amount not exceeding £2 million as OFCOM determine to be both—

(a)appropriate; and

(b)proportionate to the contravention in respect of which it is imposed.

Textual Amendments

32E.Enforcement of notification under section 32CU.K.

(1)This section applies where—

(a)a person has been given a notification under section 32C;

(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 in accordance with the notification under section 32C; 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 requirement notified under section 32C.

(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 a requirement notified under section 32C, or may specify a period within which the person must comply with the requirement; and

(d)may require the person to pay—

(i)the penalty specified in the notification under section 32C, 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 requirement or 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

33Failure to provide information etcU.K.

(1)A person commits an offence if he fails to provide information in accordance with a requirement of OFCOM under section 32[F2or 32A].

(2)In proceedings against a person for an offence under subsection (1) it is a defence for the person to show—

(a)that it was not reasonably practicable for him to comply with the requirement within the period specified by OFCOM; but

(b)that he has taken all reasonable steps to provide the required information after the end of that period.

(3)A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to

[F3(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum; or

(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine.]

(4)A person commits an offence if—

(a)in pursuance of a requirement under section 32[F4or 32A], he provides information that is false in any material particular; and

(b)at the time he provides it, he knows it to be false or is reckless as to whether or not it is false.

(5)A person who commits an offence under subsection (4) is liable on summary conviction to

[F5(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum; or

(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or to a fine, or to both.]

[F6(6) Proceedings for an offence under this section may be brought in respect of a contravention by a person of a requirement imposed under section 32A only if OFCOM have not imposed a financial penalty under sections 32C and 32E in respect of that contravention. ]

Textual Amendments

34Statement of policyU.K.

(1) OFCOM must prepare and publish a statement of their general policy with respect to—

(a)the exercise of their powers under [F7sections 32 and 32A]; and

(b)the uses to which they are proposing to put information obtained under that section.

(2) OFCOM may from time to time revise that statement as they think fit.

(3)Where OFCOM make a statement under this section (or revise it), they must publish the statement (or the revised statement) in such manner as they consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention of persons who, in their opinion, are likely to be affected by it.

(4) OFCOM must, in exercising their powers under [F8sections 32 and 32A], have regard to the statement for the time being in force under this section.

Textual Amendments