Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order brings into force—

Article 1(3) revokes one of the transitional provisions contained in the first commencement order.

By virtue of article 3(2), the transitional period (during which the Director General of Telecommunications and the Secretary of State exercised the functions of the Office of Communications in respect of the “transitionally commenced provisions” defined in article 1(2) of the first commencement order) will come to an end.

Article 3(3) provides that where provisions brought into force on 29th December apply to television licences, they do not come into force for that purpose until 1st April.

Articles 5 to 11 contain transitional provisions.

All of the provisions of the Office of Communications Act 2002 which have not been repealed by the Communications Act 2003 will be in force by 29th December 2003.

Including the provisions which came into force on Royal assent and the provisions brought into force by the first commencement order, the following provisions of the Communications Act 2003 will be in force by 29th December 2003:

Subsequently—

The following provisions of the Communications Act 2003 remain to be brought into force: sections 180, 231 (in part), 265 to 270, 272 to 274, 338 (in part), 401, 406 (in part) and 409 and Schedules 6, 12 (in part) 17 (in part) and 19 (in part).