UK Act of Parliament
1984
United Kingdom
Telecommunications Act 1984
At a glance
Enforced by
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Schedules
Browse 196 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
In the case of any such holder of the office...
If, when any person ceases to hold office as the...
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In the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 in Part...
The Director shall have an official seal for the authentication...
The Documentary Evidence Act 1868 shall have effect as if...
Anything authorised or required by or under this Act or...
(1) In this code, except in so far as the...
(1) Subject to paragraph 3 above and the following provisions...
(1) Subject to paragraph 3 above and the following provisions...
(1) Subject to the following provisions of this code, the...
(1) Any objection or question which, in accordance with paragraph...
(1) Without prejudice to the following provisions of this code,...
(1) Nothing in the preceding provisions of this code shall...
(1) Where a right conferred by or in accordance with...
(1) This paragraph applies where the operator has completed the...
(1) Where the operator has for the purposes of the...
(1) Where any tree overhangs any streetroad and, in doing...
(1) The agreement in writing of the occupier for the...
(1) Where any electronic communications apparatus is kept installed on,...
(1) Where any person is for the time being entitled...
Without prejudice to the preceding provisions of this code, where...
(1) The following provisions of this paragraph apply where a...
(1) Any notice required to be given by the operator...
Regulation 3 of the Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulation...
Article 60 of the County Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1980...
(1) This code shall apply in relation to land in...
(1) Except in so far as provision is otherwise made...
(1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, references...
(1) This paragraph applies where— (a) this code has been...
(1) A right conferred in accordance with paragraph 2 above...
(1) Anything done by the operator in exercise of a...
(1) Where the operator requires any person to agree for...
(1) The following provisions of this paragraph apply where the...
(1) The terms and conditions specified by virtue of sub-paragraph...
(1) Where— (a) it is reasonably necessary for the agreement...
(1) The operator shall, for the statutory purposes, have the...
The following subsections shall be substituted for subsection (1) of...
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The following provisions shall not apply where a person is...
(1) In this Schedule and in any enactment amended by...
In section 2(1) of the Telegraph Act 1899 (supplemental provision...
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(1) (2) Any telecommunications station or office belonging to, or...
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In subsection (4) of section 194 of the Law of...
(1) For subsection (6) of section 1 of the Roads...
In section 10 of the Public Health Act 1925 (under...
For section 13 of the Bridges Act 1929 (which applies...
A requirement to do what is necessary to inform designated...
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For section 71 of the Civil Defence Act (Northern Ireland)...
(1) The Water Act 1945 shall be amended in accordance...
In section 3 of the Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure)...
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For subsections (1) and (2) of section 41 of the...
(1) For section 20 of the Special Roads Act 1949...
In section 47 of the Coast Protection Act 1949, for...
(1) In the proviso to section 20(2) of the National...
(1) The Public Utilities Street Works Act 1950 shall be...
(1) The references to British Telecommunications in the following enactments...
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In section 6 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act...
Schedule 4 para.32
For subsection (2) of section 17 of the Lough Neagh...
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(1) After section 74 of the Housing Act 1957, in...
(1) For section 17 of the Land Drainage (Scotland) Act...
In section 3 of the Local Government (Omnibus Shelters and...
(1) Section 45 of the Opencast Coal Act 1958 (provisions...
(1) The Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 shall be amended...
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In section 29B(3) of the Public Health Act 1961 (which...
In section 40 of the Pipe-lines Act 1962 (avoidance of...
(1) In section 67 of the Water Resources Act 1963...
For section 53 of the Harbours Act 1964 (saving for...
(1) In section 25 of the New Towns Act (Northern...
After section 57 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1966, in...
(1) In section 11(5)(f) of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967...
(1) The New Towns (Scotland) Act 1968 shall be amended...
(1) In subsections (4) and (12) of section 41 of...
In section 22(1) of the Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968 (Part...
In section 30 of the Foreign Enlistment Act 1870 (interpretation),...
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(1) The Roads (Scotland) Act 1970 shall be amended in...
For section 37 of the Harbours Act (Northern Ireland) 1970...
Schedule 4 para.53
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(1) The Electricity Supply (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 shall be...
(1) The power to make a development order under Article...
(1) The Director General of Fair Trading shall consult with...
(1) For paragraph 3 of Schedule 9 to the Drainage...
In article 58 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern...
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(1) In section 16(6) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974...
(1) After section 36 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1974,...
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For subsection (8) of section 10 of the Scottish Development...
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In section 41(1)(a) of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976...
(1) In section 23(4) of the Land Drainage Act 1976...
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In section 28(1) of the Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979...
In section 10(3)(a) of the Estate Agents Act 1979 (exceptions...
(1) In subsection (2)(a) of section 19 of the 1980...
(1) Schedule 4 to the Water (Scotland) Act 1980 (provisions...
(1) Schedule 28 to the Local Government, Planning and Land...
(1) The Highways Act 1980 shall be amended in accordance...
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(1) The New Towns Act 1981 shall be amended in...
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(1) At the end of section 28 of the Acquisition...
In section 3 of the Broadcasting Act 1981 (powers of...
(1) After Article 159 of the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order...
In Article 2(2) of the Planning Blight (Compensation) (Northern Ireland)...
In section 48(7)(b) of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (by...
In section 1 of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act 1982 (extension...
(1) In the London Overground Wires etc. Act 1933—
(1) The enactments specified in the following Table (which penalise...
(1) Nothing in— (a) the London Building Acts 1930 to...
(1) A provision to which this paragraph applies which refers...
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Nothing in a local Act passed after but in the...
(1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, a...
A direction given, or having effect as if given, under...
Nothing done, on or after the appointed day, under, and...
(1) Where immediately before the appointed day British Telecommunications—
Nothing in this Act shall affect the operation of section...
Nothing in this Act shall affect the operation of section...
Nothing in this Act shall affect the operation of section...
Subject to paragraph 4 above and paragraph 26 below, nothing...
Nothing in this Act shall affect the operation of section...
Subject to paragraph 49 below, nothing in this Act shall...
Subject to paragraph 50 below, nothing in this Act shall...
(1) An approval issued under section 16(2) of the 1981...
A licence granted under section 7 of this Act to...
An order made under section 9(1) of this Act which...
An approval given under section 20(1) of this Act which...
An approval given, or having effect as if given, under...
An approval given under section 24(1) of this Act which...
A recognition given under section 27(1) of this Act which...
An order made, or having effect as if made, under...
A compulsory purchase order made, or having effect as if...
An application for a vesting order made, or having effect...
An authorisation given, or having effect as if given, by...
(1) An order made under section 17 of the 1981...
An order made under section 57 of this Act which...
A licence granted under section 58 of this Act to...
An undertaking given, or having effect as if given, to...
A direction given, or having effect as if given, to...
(1) For the purposes of authorising the making, in relation...
Where immediately before the transfer date there is in force...
(1) Except as otherwise provided by the foregoing provisions of...
(1) It is hereby declared for the avoidance of doubt...
(1) It shall be the duty of British Telecommunications and...
(1) During the transitional period it shall be the duty...
An order made, or having effect as if made, by...
(1) Notwithstanding the repeal of subsection (12) of section 6...
For the purpose of enabling anything which, on the transfer...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, nothing in this Act...
Nothing in this Act shall affect the operation of any...
Nothing in this Act shall affect the operation of section...
Where by virtue of anything done before the transfer date,...
(1) Section 6(2) of the Commonwealth Telegraph Act 1949 shall...
(1) Nothing in this Act shall affect the validity of...
(1) Where an asset, or the right to receive an...
An order under section 19 of the Local Government Act...
A compulsory purchase order made under section 38 or 39...
An order under section 6 of the Local Government (Scotland)...
(1) Where a distribution is proposed to be declared during...
An application for a vesting order made under section 40...
An authorisation given by British Telecommunications under section 41, 42...
(1) An order made under section 89 of the Post...
An undertaking given, or having effect as if given, under...
(1) For the purpose of making, in relation to agreements...
The excepted case stated in paragraph 16 of Schedule 5...
(1) The reference in paragraph 18(1) of Schedule 5 to...
(1) The reference in paragraph 19(1) of Schedule 5 to...
The first and third references in paragraph 20(2) of Schedule...
Nothing in this Schedule shall affect the operation of Schedule...
Any reference to an agreement to which Schedule 5 applies...
Except in a case where it falls to be modified...
The reference in paragraph 4 of Schedule 5 to paragraph...
The excepted case stated in paragraph 6 of Schedule 5...
(1) The reference in paragraph 8(2) of Schedule 5 to...
(1) The reference in paragraph 9(1) of Schedule 5 to...
The third reference in paragraph 10(2) of Schedule 5 to...
The reference in paragraph 14 of Schedule 5 to paragraph...
General restrictions on disclosure of information.
Amended 46 timesOffences by bodies corporate.
Amended 3 timesSummary proceedings.
Amended 2 timesOrders and schemes.
Amended 4 timesGeneral interpretation.
Amended 7 timesApplication to territorial waters and the continental shelf etc.
Amended 5 timesExtension to the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
Amended 1 timeAmendments, transitional provisions and repeals.
Amended 5 timesShort title, commencement and extent.
Amended 2 timesBrowse 117 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
The Director General of Telecommunications.
Abolition of British Telecommunications’ exclusive privilege.
General duties of Secretary of State and Director.
Meaning of “telecommunication system” and related expressions.
Prohibition on running unlicensed systems.
Exceptions to section 5.
Power to license systems.
Licensing procedures
Special provisions applicable to certain licences.
Public telecommunication systems.
The telecommunications code.
Provisions supplementary to section 10.
Modification of licence conditions by agreement.
Agreement required for the purposes of section 12.
Licence modification references to Commission.
References under section 13: time limits
References under section 13: powers of investigation
Reports on licence modification references.
Modification of licence conditions following report.
Securing compliance with licence conditions.
Procedural requirements.
Validity and effect of orders.
Register of licences and orders.
Approval of contractors.
Register of approved contractors.
Approval etc. of apparatus.
Register of approved apparatus etc.
Approval etc. of meters.
Delegation of functions under sections 22 and 24.
Grants and loans to persons exercising certain functions.
Recognition of bodies representing consumers etc.
Standards of performance in individual cases.
Overall standards of performance.
Information with respect to levels of performance.
Information to be given to customers about overall performance.
Procedures for dealing with complaints.
Disputes about discrimination etc. in fixing charges.
Billing disputes.
Deposits.
Complaints about deposits.
Disconnections.
Enforcement of standards of performance, etc.
Definitions for sections 27A to 27K.
Information etc. to be marked on or to accompany telecommunication apparatus.
Information etc. to be given in advertisements.
Enforcement provisions.
Rating in England and Wales.
Rating in Scotland.
Rating in Northern Ireland.
Compulsory purchase of land in England and Wales.
Compulsory purchase of land in Scotland.
Compulsory purchase of land in Northern Ireland.
Entry, for exploratory purposes, on land in England and Wales.
Entry, for exploratory purposes, on land in Scotland.
Entry, for exploratory purposes, on land in Northern Ireland.
Acquisition of land by agreement.
Purchase of Duchy of Lancaster land.
Fraudulent use of telecommunication system.
Possession or supply of anything for fraudulent purpose in connection with use of telecommunication system.
Improper use of public telecommunication system.
Modification etc. of messages.
Disclosure of messages etc.
Assaults etc. on persons engaged in the business of public telecommunications operator.
Powers to make regulations.
Appeals
General functions.
Publication of information and advice.
Investigation of complaints.
Functions under 1973 and 1980 Acts.
Co-ordination of functions under Part II and wireless telegraphy functions.
Power to give assistance in relation to certain proceedings.
Power to require information etc.
Power to establish advisory bodies.
Annual and other reports.
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Vesting of property etc. of British Telecommunications in a company nominated by the Secretary of State.
Initial Government holding in the successor company.
Conversion of certain loans transferred to the successor company.
Government investment in securities of the successor company.
Exercise of Secretary of State’s functions through nominees.
Target investment limit for Government shareholding.
Financial structure of the successor company.
Temporary restrictions on successor company’s borrowings etc.
Liability of Secretary of State in respect of liabilities vesting in successor company.
Dissolution of British Telecommunications.
Application of law in relation to offer of shares or debentures of the successor company.
Application of Trustee Investments Act 1961 in relation to investment in the successor company.
Tax provisions.
Interpretation of Part V.
Restriction on revocation or variation of certain wireless telegraphy licences.
Alteration of penalties and mode of trial for certain offences under the 1949 Act.
Arrest without warrant for certain offences under the 1949 Act.
Substitution of new section for section 7 of the 1967 Act.
Regulations with respect to resistance to interference.
Seizure of apparatus and other property used in committing certain offences under the 1949 Act.
Proceedings in England and Wales or Northern Ireland for forfeiture of restricted apparatus.
Proceedings in Scotland for forfeiture of restricted apparatus.
Amendments with respect to forfeiture on conviction.
Disposal of apparatus and other property seized by virtue of section 79.
Approval of wireless telegraphy apparatus etc.
Information etc. to be marked on or to accompany apparatus.
Information etc. to be given in advertisements.
Offences under section 85 or 86 due to default of third person.
Wireless telegraphy functions of Director.
Abolition of advisory committee.
Radio interference service.
Construction of references to conclusion of proceedings.
Interpretation of Part VI and minor amendments.
Grants to promote interests of disabled persons.
Directions in the interests of national security etc.
Orders under the 1973 and 1980 Acts.
Prohibitions and restrictions applying to lessees with respect to telecommunications.
Contributions by local authorities towards provision of facilities.
Use of certain conduits for telecommunication purposes.
Power of Post Office to provide telecommunication services etc.
Membership of British Telecommunications.
Financial provisions.
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Office of Communications
Regulates telecoms, TV, radio, video-on-demand, postal services, and online safety. Issues licences for telecoms providers, manages spectrum. Now enforces Online Safety Act …
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