Part 1

Functions of OFCOM

International matters

Representation on international and other bodies
22
1
It shall be the duty of OFCOM to do, as respects the United Kingdom, such of the following things as they are required to do by the Secretary of State—
a
provide representation on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom on international and other bodies having communications functions;
b
become or serve as a member of an international or other body having such functions;
c
subscribe to such a body;
d
provide representation on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom at international meetings about communications.
2
OFCOM shall also have the power, if requested to do so by the Secretary of State, to do one or more of those things as respects any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory.
3
It shall be the duty of OFCOM to carry out their functions under this section in accordance with such general or specific directions as may be given to them by the Secretary of State.
4
The Secretary of State—
a
is not entitled to direct OFCOM to comply with a request made under subsection (2); but
b
may give directions about how OFCOM are to carry out any representative role that they undertake in accordance with such a request.
5
In this section—
- “communications functions” means—
  1. functions relating to the use of the electro-magnetic spectrum for wireless telegraphy;
  2. functions relating to the regulation of television or radio broadcasting or the provision of television and radio services; and
  3. any other function which relates to, or is connected with, a matter in respect of which OFCOM have functions;
- “international meetings about communications” means international meetings relating to, or to matters connected with, one or more of the following—
  1. the use of the electro-magnetic spectrum for wireless telegraphy;
  2. the regulation of television or radio broadcasting or of the provision of television and radio services;
  3. any other matter in respect of which OFCOM have functions.
6
In relation to—
a
a part of the British Islands outside the United Kingdom, or
b
a British overseas territory,
the references in subsection (5) to matters in respect of which OFCOM have functions include references to matters corresponding, in the case of that part of those Islands or of that territory, to matters in respect of which OFCOM’s functions are confined to the United Kingdom.
7
In subsection (5) “television or radio broadcasting” includes the provision by means other than broadcasting of services similar to those provided by television or radio broadcasts.
S. 22 in force at 29.12.2003 by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11)