Communications Act 2003
2003 c. 21
An Act to confer functions on the Office of Communications; to make provision about the regulation of the provision of electronic communications networks and services and of the use of the electro-magnetic spectrum; to make provision about the regulation of broadcasting and of the provision of television and radio services; to make provision about mergers involving newspaper and other media enterprises and, in that connection, to amend the Enterprise Act 2002; and for connected purposes.
[17th July 2003]
Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Act: amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2004/1944, art. 4, Sch. Pt. 2 (25.10.2019) by The Small-scale Radio Multiplex and Community Digital Radio Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/1387), arts. 1, 7 (as amended by S.I. 2025/160, art. 9(3))
Act modified (temp.) (1.11.2020) by The Audiovisual Media Services Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1062), regs. 1(2), 49 (with Pt. 7)
Act: power to extend conferred (27.4.2017) by Digital Economy Act 2017 (c. 30), ss. 118(1), 119(7)(8)(d)
Act applied by S.I. 1991/1220 (N.I. 11), art. 104(5) (as substituted (28.12.2017) by The Communications Act 2003 and the Digital Economy Act 2017 (Consequential Amendments to Primary Legislation) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1285), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 28(2)(c))
Act: amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2004/1944, art. 4, Sch. Pt. 2 (22.1.2010) by The Community Radio (Amendment) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/118), arts. 1, 5
Act applied (with modifications) (20.7.2004) by Community Radio Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/1944), art. 4, Sch. Pt. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2019/1387, art. 7; S.I. 2025/160, art. 9(3))
Act modified (Guernsey) (19.3.2013) by The Community Radio (Guernsey) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/243), art. 5, Sch. Pt. 2
Act: amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2004/1944, art. 4, Sch. Pt. 2 (27.3.2015) by The Community Radio (Amendment) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1000), arts. 3, 8 (with art. 9)
Act: amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2003/3195, Sch. 2 (5.12.2012) by The Communications (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2688), arts. 2, 3
Act applied (with modifications) (5.12.2012) by The Community Radio (Guernsey) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2690), art. 4, Sch.
Act modified (3.5.2007) by National Assembly for Wales Commission (Crown Status) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1118), art. 7
Act: amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2003/3198, art. 6, Sch. 2 (8.2.2007) by Wireless Telegraphy (Isle of Man) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/278), art. 3, Sch. 2 Pt. 1
Act: specified provisions extended (Isle of Man) (with modifications) (with effect in accordance with art. 1(3)(4) of the amending S.I.) by Communications (Isle of Man) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/3198), art. 6, Sch. 2 (as amended (27.2.2004) by Broadcasting and Communications (Isle of Man) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/309), art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. 2; and (26.3.2004) by Broadcasting and Communications (Isle of Man) (No.2) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/718), art. 2)
Act: specified provisions extended (Guernsey) (with modifications) (with effect in accordance with art. 1(4)(5) of the amending S.I.) by Communications (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/3195), art. 6, Sch. 2 (as amended (26.3.2004) by Communications (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (No.2) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/715), art. 3, Sch.; and (23.4.2004) by Communications (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (No.3) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/1116), art. 2; and (31.3.2005) by The Communications (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/856), art. 2)
Act: specified provisions extended (Jersey) (with modifications) (with effect in accordance with art. 1(3)-(5) of the amending S.I.) by Communications (Jersey) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/3197), art. 6, Sch. 2 (as amended (27.2.2004) by Broadcasting and Communications (Jersey) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/308), art. 6(3), Sch. 2; and (26.3.2004) by Broadcasting and Communications (Jersey) (No.2) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/716), art. 3; and (23.4.2004) by Broadcasting and Communications (Jersey) (No.3) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/1114), art. 2; and (31.3.2005) by The Communications (Jersey) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/855), art. 2)
Act: specified provisions extended (Guernsey) (with modifications) (27.2.2004) by Communications (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/307), art. 4, Sch. (with art. 1(2))