Consultations on the implementation of the new electronic communications networks and services regulatory regime

The Public Consultation on the draft Communications Bill

Communications Act 2003

The Communications Act received Royal Assent on 17 July 2003. An electronic version of the Act and Explanatory Notes is now available from the HMSO website.

Implementation of the measures in the Act will be subject to commencement orders. In advance of Royal Assent, the DTI consulted on the Orders and Regulations that were needed to implement the EC Directives on the Electronic Communications Networks and Services by 25th July 2003. There was also a consultation on a contingency plan for the interim implementation of the EC Directives in the event that the Communications Bill did not receive Royal Assent in sufficient time.

The following statutory instruments are available:

As made on 17 July 2003:
The Communications Act 2003 (Commencement No.1) Order 2003. Statutory Instrument 2003 No. 1900 (C.77)

As made on 8 December 2003:
The Office of Communications Act 2002 (Commencement No.3) and Communications Act 2003 (Commencement No.2) Order 2003. Statutory Instrument 2003 No. 3142 (C.125)

The Communications Act 2003 (Consequential Amendments No.2) Order 2003. Statutory Instrument 2003 No.3182

The Control of Misleading Advertisements (Amendment) Regulations 2003. Statutory Instrument 2003 No.3183

The provisions in Parts 1, 2, 5 and 6 of the Bill that relate to the four EC Communications Directives, plus the public service broadcasting review came into force on 25th July. Texts of the following orders have been published by the HMSO:

• The Electronic Communications (Universal Service) Order 2003.
  Statutory Instrument 2003 No. 1904.
• The Wireless Telegraphy (Limitation of Number of Licences) Order 2003.
  Statutory Instrument 2003 No. 1902.
• The Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (Amendment) Regulations 2003
  Statutory Instrument 2003 No. 1903.
• The Advanced Television Services Regulations 2003.
  Statutory Instrument 2003 No. 1901.

For a history of the Act’s passage through Parliament, including links to records of the debates, please see History of the Act Through Parliament.

Order hard copies from the Stationery Office


Some documents are available online in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format

Guidance on DTI procedures for handling Newspaper mergers

Limitation of Numbers of Spectrum Licences

Communications White Paper

European Directives

Office of Communications Act 2002

Communications Act 2003 and Explanatory Notes

Regulatory Impact Assessment

Executive Summary of the Consultants' Final Report -
Creating OFCOM
PDF (357kb)

Media Ownership (Local Radio) Order

Proposed Amendments to the Main BBC Agreement
PDF (61kb)




Draft Regulations