http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/137/2017-06-27Communications Act 2003An 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.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-05-01Expert Participation2017-06-27 Part 2Networks, services and the radio spectrumChapter 1Electronic communications networks and services<Emphasis>Information provisions</Emphasis>Restrictions on imposing information requirements1371This section limits the purposes for which, and manner in which, information may be required under sections 135 and 136.2OFCOM are not to require the provision of information for the purpose of ascertaining whether a contravention of a general condition has occurred, or is occurring, unless—athe requirement is imposed for the purpose of investigating a matter about which OFCOM have received a complaint;bthe requirement is imposed for the purposes of an investigation that OFCOM have decided to carry out into whether or not the general condition in question has been complied with;cthe condition in question is one which OFCOM have reason to suspect is one that has been or is being contravened; ...dthe condition in question is one falling within section 51(1)(d); orethe condition in question is one relating to the effective and efficient use of telephone numbers.2A OFCOM are not to require the provision of information for a purpose specified in section 135(3)(ie) or (if) unless—athe requirement is imposed for the purpose of investigating a matter about which OFCOM have received a complaint;bthe requirement is imposed for the purposes of an investigation that OFCOM have decided to carry out into whether or not an obligation under section 105A has been complied with; orc OFCOM have reason to suspect that an obligation under section 105A has been or is being contravened.3OFCOM are not to require the provision of information under section 135 or 136 except—aby a demand for the information that describes the required information and sets out OFCOM’s reasons for requiring it; andbwhere 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.4The reasons for requiring information for statistical purposes under section 135 or 136 must set out the statistical purposes for which the information is required.5Except in the case of a demand made in the manner authorised by subsection (6), a demand for information required under section 135 or 136 must be contained in a notice served on the person from whom the information is required.6In the case of information required by OFCOM for the purpose of ascertaining who is liable to charges under section 38, the demand may—abe made by being published in such manner as OFCOM consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention of the persons who are described in the demand as the persons from whom the information is required; andbtake the form of a general demand for a person so described to provide information when specified conditions relevant to his liability to such charges are satisfied in his case.S. 137 in force at 25.7.2003 for specified purposes by S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3))S. 137 in force at 29.12.2003 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(2) (with art. 11)Word in s. 137(2)(c) omitted (26.5.2011) by virtue of The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 80(a)(i) (with Sch. 3 para. 2)S. 137(2)(e) and word inserted (26.5.2011) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 80(a)(ii) (with Sch. 3 para. 2)S. 137(2A) inserted (26.5.2011) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 80(b) (with Sch. 3 para. 2)