<Legislation xmlns="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/legislation" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/2004-06-30" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21" NumberOfProvisions="1072" RestrictEndDate="2004-07-01" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/legislation http://www.legislation.gov.uk/schema/legislation.xsd" SchemaVersion="1.0" RestrictStartDate="2004-06-30" RestrictExtent="E+W+S+N.I."><ukm:Metadata xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:ukm="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/metadata">
					<dc:identifier>http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/2004-06-30</dc:identifier><dc:title>Communications Act 2003</dc:title><dc:description>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.</dc:description><dc:type>text</dc:type><dc:format>text/xml</dc:format><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:publisher>Statute Law Database</dc:publisher><dc:modified>2026-05-01</dc:modified><dc:contributor>Expert Participation</dc:contributor><dct:valid>2004-06-30</dct:valid>
					
					<atom:link rel="self" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/2004-06-30/data.xml" type="application/xml"/><atom:link rel="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/def/navigation/resources" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/resources" title="More Resources"/>
					
					<atom:link rel="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/def/navigation/notes" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/notes" title="Explanatory Notes"/><atom:link rel="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/def/navigation/notes/toc" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/notes/contents" title="Explanatory Notes Table of Contents"/>
					
					<atom:link rel="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/def/navigation/act" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/2004-06-30" title="whole act"/><atom:link rel="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/def/navigation/introduction" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/introduction/2004-06-30" title="introduction"/>
					<atom:link rel="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/def/navigation/body" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/body/2004-06-30" title="body"/>
					<atom:link rel="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/def/navigation/schedules" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/schedules/2004-06-30" title="schedules"/>
					
										
					
					
					
					<atom:link rel="alternate" type="application/rdf+xml" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/2004-06-30/data.rdf" title="RDF/XML"/><atom:link rel="alternate" type="application/akn+xml" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/2004-06-30/data.akn" title="AKN"/><atom:link rel="alternate" type="application/xhtml+xml" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/2004-06-30/data.xht" title="HTML snippet"/><atom:link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/2004-06-30/data.htm" title="Website (XHTML) Default View"/><atom:link rel="alternate" type="text/csv" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/2004-06-30/data.csv" title="CSV"/><atom:link rel="alternate" type="application/pdf" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/2004-06-30/data.pdf" title="PDF"/>
					<atom:link rel="alternate" type="application/akn+xhtml" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/2004-06-30/data.html" title="HTML5 snippet"/>

					
					<atom:link rel="http://purl.org/dc/terms/tableOfContents" hreflang="en" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/contents/2004-06-30" title="Table of Contents"/>
					
					<atom:link rel="http://purl.org/dc/terms/replaces" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/2003-07-25" title="2003-07-25"/><atom:link rel="http://purl.org/dc/terms/hasVersion" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/enacted" title="enacted"/><atom:link rel="http://purl.org/dc/terms/hasVersion" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/2003-07-25" title="2003-07-25"/><atom:link rel="http://purl.org/dc/terms/hasVersion" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/2003-12-29" title="2003-12-29"/><atom:link rel="http://purl.org/dc/terms/hasVersion" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63" title="current"/>
					
					<atom:link rel="up" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/2004-06-30" title="Entire legislation"/><atom:link rel="prev" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/62/2004-06-30" title="Provision; Section 62"/><atom:link rel="prevInForce" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/62/2004-06-30" title="Provision; Section 62"/><atom:link rel="next" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/64/2004-06-30" title="Provision; Section 64"/><atom:link rel="nextInForce" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/64/2004-06-30" title="Provision; Section 64"/>
					<ukm:PrimaryMetadata><ukm:DocumentClassification><ukm:DocumentCategory Value="primary"/><ukm:DocumentMainType Value="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct"/><ukm:DocumentStatus Value="revised"/></ukm:DocumentClassification><ukm:Year Value="2003"/><ukm:Number Value="21"/><ukm:EnactmentDate Date="2003-07-17"/><ukm:ISBN Value="0105421030"/><ukm:UnappliedEffects><ukm:UnappliedEffect AffectingURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2003/3142" AffectedClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" AffectingEffectsExtent="E+W+S+N.I." Type="amendment to earlier commencing SI 2003/1900, art. 3(2)" AffectedNumber="21" AffectingNumber="3142" AffectedProvisions="specified provision(s)" AffectingYear="2003" AffectingClass="UnitedKingdomStatutoryInstrument" AffectedExtent="E+W+S+N.I." Modified="2024-10-29T15:20:29Z" Comments="This amendment has been carried out as an Appended Commentary in the Effects Research ExTOES for 2003 SI1900. No further action required for this effect." URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/effect/key-aaf8286246bcbf116bdd77239b85a08e" AffectedURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21" TypeNotes="amendment to earlier commencing SI 2003/1900, art. 3(2)" AffectedYear="2003" RequiresApplied="false" EffectId="key-aaf8286246bcbf116bdd77239b85a08e" Row="3416" AffectingProvisions="art. 1(3)"><ukm:AffectedTitle>Communications Act 2003</ukm:AffectedTitle><ukm:AffectedProvisions>specified provision(s)</ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:AffectingTitle>The Office of Communications Act 2002 (Commencement No. 3) and Communications Act 2003 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2003</ukm:AffectingTitle><ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="article-1-3" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2003/3142/article/1/3">art. 1(3)</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:InForceDates><ukm:InForce Prospective="true" Qualification=""/></ukm:InForceDates></ukm:UnappliedEffect><ukm:UnappliedEffect Type="inserted" AffectingYear="2017" AffectingEffectsExtent="E+W+S+N.I." AffectedClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" AffectingURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2017/30" EffectId="key-0db58ad4db748f53a4f4b00ecd572b5a" AffectedURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21" AffectingClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" AffectingProvisions="s. 94(3)" AffectedNumber="21" Row="167" AffectingNumber="30" AffectedProvisions="s. 368E(5)(d)(e)" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/effect/key-0db58ad4db748f53a4f4b00ecd572b5a" AffectedYear="2003" Modified="2026-02-13T12:47:25Z" RequiresApplied="true"><ukm:AffectedTitle>Communications Act 2003</ukm:AffectedTitle><ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="section-368E-5-d" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/section/368E/5/d" FoundRef="section-368E">s. 368E(5)(d)</ukm:Section><ukm:Section Ref="section-368E-5-e" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/section/368E/5/e" FoundRef="section-368E">(e)</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:AffectingTitle>Digital Economy Act 2017</ukm:AffectingTitle><ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="section-94-3" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2017/30/section/94/3">s. 94(3)</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:Section Ref="section-118-6" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2017/30/section/118/6">s. 118(6)</ukm:Section></ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:InForceDates><ukm:InForce Applied="false" Prospective="true" Qualification=""/></ukm:InForceDates></ukm:UnappliedEffect><ukm:UnappliedEffect AffectingNumber="46" AffectedNumber="21" Type="inserted" AffectedClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" Row="58" Comments="Sch. 3A para 27ZC 27ZD 27ZF confers power" EffectId="key-c0bff08461340e83e4f73d4002b48612" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/effect/key-c0bff08461340e83e4f73d4002b48612" AffectingProvisions="s. 67(1)" Modified="2026-01-06T11:24:33Z" AffectedYear="2003" AffectingYear="2022" AffectingEffectsExtent="S+A+M+E+A+S+A+F+F+E+C+T+E+D" AffectedURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21" AffectingURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46" RequiresApplied="true" AffectedProvisions="Sch. 3A Pt. 4ZA" AffectingClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct"><ukm:AffectedTitle>Communications Act 2003</ukm:AffectedTitle><ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="schedule-3A" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/schedule/3A">Sch. 3A </ukm:Section><ukm:Section Ref="schedule-3A-part-4ZA" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/schedule/3A/part/4ZA" FoundRef="schedule-3A">Pt. 4ZA</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:AffectingTitle>Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022</ukm:AffectingTitle><ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="section-67-1" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/section/67/1">s. 67(1)</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:Section Ref="section-79-2" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/section/79/2">s. 79(2)</ukm:Section></ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:InForceDates><ukm:InForce Applied="false" Prospective="true" Qualification=""/></ukm:InForceDates></ukm:UnappliedEffect><ukm:UnappliedEffect AffectingURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/effect/key-24854cb717779e0da4d1431dbf6c3f5b" AffectingEffectsExtent="S+A+M+E+A+S+A+F+F+E+C+T+E+D" AffectedYear="2003" AffectedNumber="21" AffectingNumber="46" AffectedClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" AffectingYear="2022" EffectId="key-24854cb717779e0da4d1431dbf6c3f5b" AffectingProvisions="s. 70" AffectedProvisions="Sch. 3A para. 103(1)(ca)" Type="inserted" AffectingClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" RequiresApplied="true" Modified="2026-01-06T11:24:33Z" AffectedURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21" Row="73"><ukm:AffectedTitle>Communications Act 2003</ukm:AffectedTitle><ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="schedule-3A" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/schedule/3A">Sch. 3A </ukm:Section><ukm:Section Ref="schedule-3A-paragraph-103-1-ca" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/schedule/3A/paragraph/103/1/ca" FoundRef="schedule-3A-paragraph-103">para. 103(1)(ca)</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:AffectingTitle>Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022</ukm:AffectingTitle><ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="section-70" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/section/70">s. 70</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:Section Ref="section-79-2" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/section/79/2">s. 79(2)</ukm:Section></ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:InForceDates><ukm:InForce Applied="false" Prospective="true" Qualification=""/></ukm:InForceDates></ukm:UnappliedEffect><ukm:UnappliedEffect AffectedNumber="21" AffectingURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46" AffectedURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21" AffectedProvisions="Sch. 3A para. 119A" AffectingNumber="46" AffectingYear="2022" Comments="confers power" Type="inserted" AffectedYear="2003" Row="77" RequiresApplied="true" Modified="2026-01-06T11:24:33Z" AffectedClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" EffectId="key-51395820bb7e09069d89f8f78c490bd2" AffectingEffectsExtent="S+A+M+E+A+S+A+F+F+E+C+T+E+D" AffectingClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" AffectingProvisions="s. 72" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/effect/key-51395820bb7e09069d89f8f78c490bd2"><ukm:AffectedTitle>Communications Act 2003</ukm:AffectedTitle><ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="schedule-3A" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/schedule/3A">Sch. 3A </ukm:Section><ukm:Section Ref="schedule-3A-paragraph-119A" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/schedule/3A/paragraph/119A" FoundRef="schedule-3A">para. 119A</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:AffectingTitle>Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022</ukm:AffectingTitle><ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="section-72" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/section/72">s. 72</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:Section Ref="section-79-2" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/section/79/2">s. 79(2)</ukm:Section></ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:InForceDates><ukm:InForce Applied="false" Prospective="true" Qualification=""/></ukm:InForceDates></ukm:UnappliedEffect><ukm:UnappliedEffect AffectedNumber="21" AffectingEffectsExtent="S+A+M+E+A+S+A+F+F+E+C+T+E+D" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/effect/key-d89c479f152f03d18085a5f8b03e9af5" AffectingURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46" AffectedProvisions="s. 148A and cross-heading" Comments="confers power" Modified="2026-01-06T11:24:33Z" AffectingClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" AffectingYear="2022" AffectedURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21" EffectId="key-d89c479f152f03d18085a5f8b03e9af5" Type="inserted" AffectedYear="2003" AffectedClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" AffectingNumber="46" RequiresApplied="true" Row="78" AffectingProvisions="s. 73(2)"><ukm:AffectedTitle>Communications Act 2003</ukm:AffectedTitle><ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:Section xmlns:err="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/error" Ref="section-148A" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/section/148A" err:Ref="Section missing in legislation" Missing="true">s. 148A</ukm:Section> and cross-heading</ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:AffectingTitle>Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022</ukm:AffectingTitle><ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="section-73-2" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/section/73/2">s. 73(2)</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:Section Ref="section-79-2" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/section/79/2">s. 79(2)</ukm:Section></ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:InForceDates><ukm:InForce Applied="false" Prospective="true" Qualification=""/></ukm:InForceDates></ukm:UnappliedEffect><ukm:UnappliedEffect AffectedNumber="21" AffectingEffectsExtent="S+A+M+E+A+S+A+F+F+E+C+T+E+D" AffectingProvisions="Sch. para. 2" AffectingYear="2022" EffectId="key-3d8c528ec63c1c598ebb5a82e8c032e9" Type="inserted" Modified="2026-01-06T11:24:33Z" AffectedProvisions="s. 402(2A)(za)(zb)" AffectedURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21" Row="80" AffectedClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/effect/key-3d8c528ec63c1c598ebb5a82e8c032e9" RequiresApplied="true" AffectingClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" AffectedYear="2003" AffectingURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46" AffectingNumber="46"><ukm:AffectedTitle>Communications Act 2003</ukm:AffectedTitle><ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="section-402-2A-za" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/section/402/2A/za" FoundRef="section-402">s. 402(2A)(za)</ukm:Section><ukm:Section Ref="section-402-2A-zb" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/section/402/2A/zb" FoundRef="section-402">(zb)</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:AffectingTitle>Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022</ukm:AffectingTitle><ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="schedule" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/schedule">Sch. </ukm:Section><ukm:Section Ref="schedule-paragraph-2" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/schedule/paragraph/2">para. 2</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:Section Ref="section-79-2" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/section/79/2">s. 79(2)</ukm:Section></ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:InForceDates><ukm:InForce Applied="false" Prospective="true" Qualification=""/></ukm:InForceDates></ukm:UnappliedEffect><ukm:UnappliedEffect AffectingYear="2022" AffectedYear="2003" AffectingClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" Modified="2026-01-06T11:24:33Z" RequiresApplied="true" AffectingProvisions="Sch. para. 3(5)(b)" AffectedNumber="21" AffectedProvisions="Sch. 3A para. 21(6)" EffectId="key-4fe219ef76185cb2a349dd1d3e2e124c" AffectingURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46" AffectingNumber="46" Row="86" AffectedClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" AffectedURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21" AffectingEffectsExtent="S+A+M+E+A+S+A+F+F+E+C+T+E+D" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/effect/key-4fe219ef76185cb2a349dd1d3e2e124c" Type="inserted"><ukm:AffectedTitle>Communications Act 2003</ukm:AffectedTitle><ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="schedule-3A" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/schedule/3A">Sch. 3A </ukm:Section><ukm:Section Ref="schedule-3A-paragraph-21-6" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/schedule/3A/paragraph/21/6" FoundRef="schedule-3A-paragraph-21">para. 21(6)</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:AffectingTitle>Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022</ukm:AffectingTitle><ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="schedule" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/schedule">Sch. </ukm:Section><ukm:Section Ref="schedule-paragraph-3-5-b" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/schedule/paragraph/3/5/b">para. 3(5)(b)</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:Section Ref="section-79-2" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/section/79/2">s. 79(2)</ukm:Section></ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:InForceDates><ukm:InForce Applied="false" Prospective="true" Qualification=""/></ukm:InForceDates></ukm:UnappliedEffect><ukm:UnappliedEffect AffectingYear="2022" AffectingClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" AffectingEffectsExtent="S+A+M+E+A+S+A+F+F+E+C+T+E+D" AffectedClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" AffectedURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21" AffectedProvisions="Sch. 3A para. 37(3)(aza)" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/effect/key-80c3afc67467c220cd07acd393ff6eeb" AffectingURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46" EffectId="key-80c3afc67467c220cd07acd393ff6eeb" Type="inserted" RequiresApplied="true" AffectingProvisions="Sch. para. 3(9)" AffectingNumber="46" Row="93" Modified="2026-01-06T11:24:33Z" AffectedNumber="21" AffectedYear="2003"><ukm:AffectedTitle>Communications Act 2003</ukm:AffectedTitle><ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="schedule-3A" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/schedule/3A">Sch. 3A </ukm:Section><ukm:Section Ref="schedule-3A-paragraph-37-3-aza" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/schedule/3A/paragraph/37/3/aza" FoundRef="schedule-3A-paragraph-37">para. 37(3)(aza)</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:AffectingTitle>Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022</ukm:AffectingTitle><ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="schedule" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/schedule">Sch. </ukm:Section><ukm:Section Ref="schedule-paragraph-3-9" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/schedule/paragraph/3/9">para. 3(9)</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:Section Ref="section-79-2" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/section/79/2">s. 79(2)</ukm:Section></ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:InForceDates><ukm:InForce Applied="false" Prospective="true" Qualification=""/></ukm:InForceDates></ukm:UnappliedEffect><ukm:UnappliedEffect Row="94" AffectedNumber="21" AffectingClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" EffectId="key-2a3ef66eb0d8500eaba122fd1ca8c13a" Modified="2026-01-06T11:24:33Z" RequiresApplied="true" AffectedProvisions="Sch. 3A para. 84(1)(aza)" AffectingNumber="46" AffectingProvisions="Sch. para. 3(10)" AffectedURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21" AffectingYear="2022" AffectedClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" AffectedYear="2003" AffectingEffectsExtent="S+A+M+E+A+S+A+F+F+E+C+T+E+D" Type="inserted" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/effect/key-2a3ef66eb0d8500eaba122fd1ca8c13a" AffectingURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46"><ukm:AffectedTitle>Communications Act 2003</ukm:AffectedTitle><ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="schedule-3A" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/schedule/3A">Sch. 3A </ukm:Section><ukm:Section Ref="schedule-3A-paragraph-84-1-aza" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/schedule/3A/paragraph/84/1/aza" FoundRef="schedule-3A-paragraph-84">para. 84(1)(aza)</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:AffectingTitle>Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022</ukm:AffectingTitle><ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="schedule" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/schedule">Sch. </ukm:Section><ukm:Section Ref="schedule-paragraph-3-10" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/schedule/paragraph/3/10">para. 3(10)</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:Section Ref="section-79-2" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/46/section/79/2">s. 79(2)</ukm:Section></ukm:CommencementAuthority><ukm:InForceDates><ukm:InForce Applied="false" Prospective="true" Qualification=""/></ukm:InForceDates></ukm:UnappliedEffect><ukm:UnappliedEffect AffectingNumber="545" AffectingURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2004/545" AffectingProvisions="art. 2" Row="3418" AffectedProvisions="specified provision(s)" TypeNotes="amendment to earlier commencing SI 2003/3142 art. 4 Sch. 2" AffectingClass="UnitedKingdomStatutoryInstrument" AffectedClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" Comments="This amendment has been carried out as an Appended Commentary in the Effects Research ExTOES for 2003 SI3142. No further action required for this effect." AffectedURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21" RequiresApplied="false" AffectingYear="2004" Type="amendment to earlier commencing SI 2003/3142 art. 4 Sch. 2" EffectId="key-7ca4c6c65186c8b0e88df3b002c17377" AffectedExtent="E+W+S+N.I." AffectingEffectsExtent="E+W+S+N.I." AffectedNumber="21" AffectedYear="2003" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/effect/key-7ca4c6c65186c8b0e88df3b002c17377" Modified="2024-10-29T15:20:29Z"><ukm:AffectedTitle>Communications Act 2003</ukm:AffectedTitle><ukm:AffectedProvisions>specified provision(s)</ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:AffectingTitle>Office of Communications Act 2002 (Commencement No. 3) and Communications Act 2003 (Commencement No. 2) (Amendment) Order 2004</ukm:AffectingTitle><ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="article-2" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2004/545/article/2">art. 2</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:InForceDates><ukm:InForce Prospective="true" Qualification=""/></ukm:InForceDates></ukm:UnappliedEffect><ukm:UnappliedEffect TypeNotes="amendment to earlier commencing SI 2003/3142" AffectingURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2004/697" AffectingNumber="697" EffectId="key-8358791efeb51386fe6eb0383a244912" AffectingYear="2004" AffectedNumber="21" Row="3419" AffectedProvisions="specified provision(s)" RequiresApplied="false" AffectedExtent="E+W+S+N.I." AffectedURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21" Modified="2024-10-29T15:20:29Z" AffectedClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" AffectingClass="UnitedKingdomStatutoryInstrument" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/effect/key-8358791efeb51386fe6eb0383a244912" AffectingProvisions="art. 2" AffectingEffectsExtent="E+W+S+N.I." Type="amendment to earlier commencing SI 2003/3142" Comments="This amendment has been carried out as an Appended Commentary in the Effects Research ExTOES for 2003 SI3142. No further action required for this effect." AffectedYear="2003"><ukm:AffectedTitle>Communications Act 2003</ukm:AffectedTitle><ukm:AffectedProvisions>specified provision(s)</ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:AffectingTitle>Office of Communications Act 2002 (Commencement No. 3) and Communications Act 2003 (Commencement No. 2) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2004</ukm:AffectingTitle><ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="article-2" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2004/697/article/2">art. 2</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:InForceDates><ukm:InForce Prospective="true" Qualification=""/></ukm:InForceDates></ukm:UnappliedEffect><ukm:UnappliedEffect AffectedYear="2003" AffectedNumber="21" AffectingEffectsExtent="E+W+S+N.I." TypeNotes="amendment to earlier commencing SI 2003/3142" Comments="This amendment has been carried out as an Appended Commentary in the Effects Research ExTOES for 2003 SI3142. No further action required for this effect." EffectId="key-77000509ed4ac4732138d76f53812a88" AffectingYear="2004" AffectingURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2004/1492" Modified="2024-10-29T15:20:29Z" AffectingClass="UnitedKingdomStatutoryInstrument" AffectedExtent="E+W+S+N.I." AffectedURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21" AffectedClass="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" RequiresApplied="false" Row="3420" AffectingProvisions="art. 2" AffectedProvisions="specified provision(s)" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/effect/key-77000509ed4ac4732138d76f53812a88" Type="amendment to earlier commencing SI 2003/3142" AffectingNumber="1492"><ukm:AffectedTitle>Communications Act 2003</ukm:AffectedTitle><ukm:AffectedProvisions>specified provision(s)</ukm:AffectedProvisions><ukm:AffectingTitle>Office of Communications Act 2002 (Commencement No. 3) and Communications Act 2003 (Commencement No. 2) (Amendment No. 3) Order 2004</ukm:AffectingTitle><ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:Section Ref="article-2" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2004/1492/article/2">art. 2</ukm:Section></ukm:AffectingProvisions><ukm:InForceDates><ukm:InForce Prospective="true" Qualification=""/></ukm:InForceDates></ukm:UnappliedEffect></ukm:UnappliedEffects></ukm:PrimaryMetadata>
					

                    
									<ukm:Notes><ukm:Note IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/notes" DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/notes"/><ukm:Alternatives><ukm:Alternative Date="2009-02-24" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/pdfs/ukpgaen_20030021_en.pdf" Title="Explanatory Note"/></ukm:Alternatives>       
								</ukm:Notes> 
					<ukm:CorrectionSlips><ukm:CorrectionSlip URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/pdfs/ukpgacs_20030021_en.pdf" Date="2010-10-15" Title="Correction Slip" Size="101809"/></ukm:CorrectionSlips><ukm:Alternatives>
      <ukm:Alternative Date="2009-02-24" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/pdfs/ukpga_20030021_en.pdf" Title="Print Version"/>
   </ukm:Alternatives>
					
					<ukm:Statistics>
									<ukm:TotalParagraphs Value="1074"/>
									<ukm:BodyParagraphs Value="433"/>
									<ukm:ScheduleParagraphs Value="641"/>
									<ukm:AttachmentParagraphs Value="0"/>
									<ukm:TotalImages Value="0"/>
								</ukm:Statistics>
				</ukm:Metadata><Primary><Body DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/body/2004-06-30" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/body" NumberOfProvisions="433" RestrictEndDate="2025-04-01" RestrictStartDate="2004-06-30" RestrictExtent="E+W+S+N.I."><Part DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/part/2/2004-06-30" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/part/2" NumberOfProvisions="172" RestrictEndDate="2005-12-30" id="part-2" RestrictStartDate="2003-12-29" RestrictExtent="E+W+S+N.I."><Number>
          <Strong>Part 2</Strong>
        </Number><Title>Networks, services and the radio spectrum</Title><Chapter DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/part/2/chapter/1/2004-06-30" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/part/2/chapter/1" NumberOfProvisions="120" RestrictEndDate="2005-12-30" id="part-2-chapter-1" RestrictStartDate="2003-12-29" RestrictExtent="E+W+S+N.I."><Number>Chapter 1</Number><Title>Electronic communications networks and services</Title><Pblock DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/part/2/chapter/1/crossheading/general-conditions-telephone-numbers/2004-06-30" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/part/2/chapter/1/crossheading/general-conditions-telephone-numbers" NumberOfProvisions="8" RestrictEndDate="2011-05-26" id="part-2-chapter-1-crossheading-general-conditions-telephone-numbers" RestrictStartDate="2003-12-29"><Title><Emphasis>General conditions: telephone numbers</Emphasis></Title><P1group RestrictStartDate="2003-12-29"><Title>General duty as to telephone numbering functions</Title><P1 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/2004-06-30" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/section/63" id="section-63"><Pnumber PuncAfter=""><CommentaryRef Ref="key-29b57f52ca5af8efb16b53bfb84ed135"/><CommentaryRef Ref="key-37b4c31e46a57bbd1fb054f8b6958448"/>63</Pnumber><P1para><P2 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/1/2004-06-30" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/1" id="section-63-1"><Pnumber>1</Pnumber><P2para><Text>It shall be the duty of <Abbreviation Expansion="Office of Communications">OFCOM</Abbreviation>, in the carrying out of their functions under sections 56 to 62—</Text><P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/1/a/2004-06-30" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/1/a" id="section-63-1-a"><Pnumber>a</Pnumber><P3para><Text>to secure that what appears to them to be the best use is made of the numbers that are appropriate for use as telephone numbers; and</Text></P3para></P3><P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/1/b/2004-06-30" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/1/b" id="section-63-1-b"><Pnumber>b</Pnumber><P3para><Text>to encourage efficiency and innovation for that purpose.</Text></P3para></P3></P2para></P2><P2 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/2/2004-06-30" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/2" id="section-63-2"><Pnumber>2</Pnumber><P2para><Text>It shall also be the duty of OFCOM, in carrying out those functions, to secure that there is no undue discrimination by communications providers against other communications providers in relation to the adoption of telephone numbers for purposes connected with the use by one communications provider, or his customers, of an electronic communications network or electronic communications service provided by another.</Text></P2para></P2><P2 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/3/2004-06-30" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2003/21/section/63/3" id="section-63-3"><Pnumber>3</Pnumber><P2para><Text>In this section  “<Term id="term-number">number</Term>” has the same meaning as in section 56.</Text></P2para></P2></P1para></P1></P1group></Pblock></Chapter></Part></Body></Primary><Commentaries><Commentary id="key-29b57f52ca5af8efb16b53bfb84ed135" Type="I"><Para><Text>S. 63 in force at 25.7.2003 for specified purposes  by <Citation URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2003/1900" id="cg8zsua72-00660" Class="UnitedKingdomStatutoryInstrument" Year="2003" Number="1900" Title="The Communications Act 2003 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2003">S.I. 2003/1900</Citation>, <CitationSubRef CitationRef="cg8zsua72-00660" id="cg8zsua72-00661" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2003/1900/article/2/1" SectionRef="article-2-1">art. 2(1)</CitationSubRef>, <CitationSubRef CitationRef="cg8zsua72-00660" id="cg8zsua72-00662" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2003/1900/schedule/1" SectionRef="schedule-1" Operative="true">Sch. 1</CitationSubRef> (with <CitationSubRef CitationRef="cg8zsua72-00660" id="cg8zsua72-00663" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2003/1900/article/3" SectionRef="article-3">art. 3</CitationSubRef>) (as amended by <Citation URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2003/3142" id="cg8zsua72-00664" Class="UnitedKingdomStatutoryInstrument" Year="2003" Number="3142">S.I. 2003/3142</Citation>, art. 1(3))</Text></Para></Commentary><Commentary id="key-37b4c31e46a57bbd1fb054f8b6958448" Type="I"><Para><Text>S. 63 in force at 29.12.2003 in so far as not already in force  by <Citation URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2003/3142" id="chn9he3c2-08132" Class="UnitedKingdomStatutoryInstrument" Year="2003" Number="3142" Title="The Office of Communications Act 2002 (Commencement No. 3) and Communications Act 2003 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2003">S.I. 2003/3142</Citation>, <CitationSubRef CitationRef="chn9he3c2-08132" id="chn9he3c2-08133" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2003/3142/article/3/1" SectionRef="article-3-1">art. 3(1)</CitationSubRef>, <CitationSubRef CitationRef="chn9he3c2-08132" id="chn9he3c2-08134" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2003/3142/schedule/1" SectionRef="schedule-1" Operative="true">Sch. 1</CitationSubRef> (with <CitationSubRef CitationRef="chn9he3c2-08132" id="chn9he3c2-08135" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2003/3142/article/11" SectionRef="article-11">art. 11</CitationSubRef>)</Text></Para></Commentary></Commentaries></Legislation>