- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As enacted)
Communications Act 2003, Section 49 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 09 December 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
(1)This section applies where—
(a)a condition set under section 45 has effect by reference to directions, approvals or consents given by a person (whether OFCOM themselves or another); and
(b)that person [F1(referred to in this section and sections 49A to 49C as “the responsible person”)] is proposing to give a direction, approval or consent that affects the operation of that condition or to modify or withdraw a direction, approval or consent so as to affect the condition’s operation.
(2)[F2The responsible person] must not give, modify or withdraw the direction, approval or consent unless he is satisfied that to do so is—
(a)objectively justifiable in relation to the networks, services, facilities, apparatus or directories to which it relates [F3(but this paragraph is subject to subsection (2A))] ;
(b)not such as to discriminate unduly against particular persons or against a particular description of persons;
(c)proportionate to what it is intended to achieve; and
(d)in relation to what it is intended to achieve, transparent.
[F4(2A)Subsection (2)(a) does not apply in relation to a direction, approval or consent affecting a general condition.]
(3)[F5Where the responsible person is a person other than OFCOM, that person shall in giving, modifying or withdrawing the direction] be under the same duty as OFCOM to act in accordance with the [F6six] requirements set out in section 4.
[F7(4)Where section 49A applies, the applicable requirements of that section F8... must be complied with before the direction, approval or consent is given, modified or withdrawn.
(4A)Where section 49A does not apply because of subsection (2) of that section—
(a)the direction, approval or consent given, or its modification or withdrawal, must be temporary; and
(b)the instrument that gives, modifies or withdraws the direction, approval or consent must state the period for which it is to have effect.
(4B)Where it is proposed to extend or make permanent any such temporary direction, approval or consent, or modification or withdrawal—
(a)[F9section 49A does] not apply in relation to the proposal; F10...
F10(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4C)Where the responsible person is a person other than OFCOM, that person must refer to OFCOM such of the following questions as are relevant in the case in question—
(a)whether OFCOM is of the opinion mentioned in section 49A(1)(b); [F11and]
(b)whether OFCOM is of the opinion mentioned in section 49A(2); F12...
F12(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4D)OFCOM must immediately determine any question so referred to them.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 49(1)(b) inserted (26.5.2011) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 24(a) (with Sch. 3 paras. 2, 7)
F2Words in s. 49(2) substituted (26.5.2011) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 24(b)(i) (with Sch. 3 paras. 2, 7)
F3Words in s. 49(2)(a) inserted (26.5.2011) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 24(b)(ii) (with Sch. 3 paras. 2, 7)
F4S. 49(2A) inserted (26.5.2011) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 24(c) (with Sch. 3 paras. 2, 7)
F5Words in s. 49(3) substituted (26.5.2011) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 24(d) (with Sch. 3 paras. 2, 7)
F6Word in s. 49(3) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy (Amendment) (European Electronic Communications Code and EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1419), reg. 1(3)(a), Sch. 1 para. 69
F7S. 49(4)-(4D) substituted for s. 49(4)-(10) (26.5.2011) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 24(e) (with Sch. 3 paras. 2, 7)
F8Words in s. 49(4) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/246), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 13(3); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F9Words in s. 49(4B)(a) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/246), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 13(4)(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F10S. 49(4B)(b) and word omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/246), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 13(4)(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F11Word in s. 49(4C)(a) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/246), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 13(5)(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F12S. 49(4C)(c) and word omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/246), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 13(5)(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Commencement Information
I1S. 49 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))
I2S. 49 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)
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Part you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Part you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Chapter you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Chapter you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: