http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/17/2003-12-29Communications 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 Participation2003-12-29 Communications Act 2003specified provision(s)The Office of Communications Act 2002 (Commencement No. 3) and Communications Act 2003 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2003art. 1(3)Communications Act 2003s. 368E(5)(d)(e)Digital Economy Act 2017s. 94(3)s. 118(6)Communications Act 2003Sch. 3A Pt. 4ZAProduct Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022s. 67(1)s. 79(2)Communications Act 2003Sch. 3A para. 103(1)(ca)Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022s. 70s. 79(2)Communications Act 2003Sch. 3A para. 119AProduct Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022s. 72s. 79(2)Communications Act 2003s. 148A and cross-headingProduct Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022s. 73(2)s. 79(2)Communications Act 2003s. 402(2A)(za)(zb)Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022Sch. para. 2s. 79(2)Communications Act 2003Sch. 3A para. 21(6)Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022Sch. para. 3(5)(b)s. 79(2)Communications Act 2003Sch. 3A para. 37(3)(aza)Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022Sch. para. 3(9)s. 79(2)Communications Act 2003Sch. 3A para. 84(1)(aza)Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022Sch. para. 3(10)s. 79(2)Communications Act 2003specified provision(s)Office of Communications Act 2002 (Commencement No. 3) and Communications Act 2003 (Commencement No. 2) (Amendment) Order 2004art. 2Communications Act 2003specified provision(s)Office of Communications Act 2002 (Commencement No. 3) and Communications Act 2003 (Commencement No. 2) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2004art. 2Communications Act 2003specified provision(s)Office of Communications Act 2002 (Commencement No. 3) and Communications Act 2003 (Commencement No. 2) (Amendment No. 3) Order 2004art. 2Communications Act 2003Sch. 4 para. 3(6A)(6B)Planning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf Cynllunio (Darpariaethau Canlyniadol) (Cymru) 2026Sch. 2 para. 338(2)(b)Sch. 5 Pt. 1s. 5(2)Communications Act 2003Sch. 4 para. 6(4A)(4B)Planning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf Cynllunio (Darpariaethau Canlyniadol) (Cymru) 2026Sch. 2 para. 338(3)(b)Sch. 5 Pt. 1s. 5(2)Communications Act 2003Sch. 4 para. 6(8)Planning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf Cynllunio (Darpariaethau Canlyniadol) (Cymru) 2026Sch. 2 para. 338(3)(d)Sch. 5 Pt. 1s. 5(2)Communications Act 2003s. 319(10)-(11B)Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026Sch. 16 para. 2s. 166s. 176(2)(c)Communications Act 2003s. 368F(1)(aa)(ab)Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026Sch. 16 para. 3(2)s. 166s. 176(2)(c)Communications Act 2003s. 368F(1A)(1B)Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026Sch. 16 para. 3(3)s. 166s. 176(2)(c)Communications Act 2003s. 368H(4)(ba)-(bh)Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026Sch. 16 para. 5(2)(b)s. 166s. 176(2)(c)Communications Act 2003s. 368H(15A)-(15BB)Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026Sch. 16 para. 5(3)s. 166s. 176(2)(c)Communications Act 2003Sch. 11A para. 4(ba)-(bh)Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026Sch. 16 para. 7(2)(b)s. 166s. 176(2)(c) Part 1 171The members of the Consumer Panel shall be appointed by OFCOM and shall comprise a chairman and such other members as OFCOM may determine.2The approval of the Secretary of State is required for the appointment of a person to be the chairman or to be another member of the Panel.3In appointing persons to be members of the Consumer Panel, OFCOM must secure that, for each of the following parts of the United Kingdom—aEngland,bScotland,cWales, anddNorthern Ireland,there is a different member of the Panel capable of representing the interests and opinions of persons living in that part of the United Kingdom.4In appointing persons to be members of the Consumer Panel, OFCOM must secure, so far as practicable, that the Panel are able to give informed advice about matters referable to each of the following—athe interests of persons living in rural areas;bthe interests of persons living in urban areas;cthe interests of small businesses;dthe interests of disadvantaged persons, persons with low incomes and persons with disabilities; andethe interests of the elderly.5The validity of any proceedings of the Consumer Panel shall not be affected by any failure by OFCOM to comply with subsection (3) or (4).6It shall be the duty of the Consumer Panel, in carrying out their functions, to have regard to the following interests—athe interests of persons from the different parts of the United Kingdom; andbthe interests specified in subsection (4).7A person shall be disqualified from being the chairman or a member of the Consumer Panel if he is a member or employee of OFCOM.8The chairman and every member of the Consumer Panel—ashall be appointed for a fixed period specified in the terms of his appointment but shall be eligible for re-appointment at the end of that period; andbmay at any time be removed from the Panel by a notice given by OFCOM with the approval of the Secretary of State.9OFCOM may pay to the chairman and to any other member of the Consumer Panel such remuneration and allowances as OFCOM consider appropriate.S. 17 in force at 29.12.2003 by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)