Communications Act 2003

229Report in anticipation of new licensing roundU.K.
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(1)OFCOM must, in anticipation of the end of each licensing period [F1for a type of relevant licence]—

(a)prepare a report under this section; and

(b)submit it to the Secretary of State no later than thirty months before the end of that period.

(2)A report under this section must set out OFCOM’s opinion on the effect of each of the matters mentioned in subsection (3) on the capacity of the [F2holder or holders of that type of licence] to contribute, in the next licensing period, to the fulfilment of [F3the public service remit for television in the United Kingdom] at a cost to the [F4licence holder or holders] that is commercially sustainable.

(3)Those matters are—

(a)the arrangements that (but for an order under section 230) would allow for the renewal of [F5that type of licence] from the end of the current licensing period; and

(b)the conditions included in the regulatory regimes for the services provided under [F6that type of licence].

(4)A report under this section must also include the recommendations (if any) which OFCOM consider, in the light of the opinion set out in the report, should be made to the Secretary of State for the exercise by him of—

(a)his power under section 230; or

(b)any of the powers to make statutory instruments that are conferred on him by Chapter 4 of this Part.

[F7(4A)Subsection (5) applies where the Secretary of State—

(a)receives a report under this section in anticipation of the end of a licensing period for a type of relevant licence, and

(b)subsequently makes an order under section 224 extending the licensing period for that type of licence.]

(5)[F8Where this subsection applies—]

(a)[F9the Secretary of State] may require OFCOM to prepare a supplementary report in the light of the postponement of the beginning of the next licensing period [F10for that type of licence]; and

(b)it shall be the duty of OFCOM, within such period as may be specified by the Secretary of State, to prepare the required supplementary report and to submit it to him.

(6)In this section—

  • “licensing period” [F11, in relation to a licence,] means—

    (a)

    the period beginning with the commencement of this section and ending with the initial expiry date [F12for that type of licence]; or

    (b)

    any subsequent period of ten years beginning with the end of the previous licensing period [F13for that type of licence];

  • “relevant licence” means—

    (a)

    a licence to provide a Channel 3 service; [F14or]

    (b)

    a licence to provide Channel 5; F15...

    (c)

    F15...

Textual Amendments

F1Words in s. 229(1) inserted (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), ss. 26(7), 47(1)

F2Words in s. 229(2) substituted (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), ss. 26(8)(a), 47(1)

F4Words in s. 229(2) substituted (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), ss. 26(8)(b), 47(1)

F5Words in s. 229(3)(a) substituted (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), ss. 26(9), 47(1)

F6Words in s. 229(3)(b) substituted (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), ss. 26(9), 47(1)

F7S. 229(4A) inserted (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), ss. 26(10), 47(1)

F8Words in s. 229(5) substituted (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), ss. 26(11)(a), 47(1)

F9Word in s. 229(5)(a) substituted (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), ss. 26(11)(b), 47(1)

F10Words in s. 229(5)(a) inserted (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), ss. 26(11)(b), 47(1)

F11Words in s. 229(6) inserted (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), ss. 26(12)(a), 47(1)

F12Words in s. 229(6) inserted (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), ss. 26(12)(b), 47(1)

F13Words in s. 229(6) inserted (8.6.2010) by Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24), ss. 26(12)(c), 47(1)

Commencement Information

I1S. 229 in force at 29.12.2003 by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)