Communications Act 2003

Appointments

• Ofcom must ensure the Consumer Panel represents diverse UK interests s.017
• Ofcom must establish and maintain the Content Board s.012

Risk assessment

• Ofcom must evaluate specific impacts before imposing functional separation s.089
• Ofcom must review market power before setting or changing service conditions s.086

Inspections

• Ofcom may issue enforcement notices and fines for service failures s.368
• Ofcom must enforce mobile billing limit requirements and may impose fines Fine up to £2,000,000 s.124
• Ofcom must follow specific procedures before revoking a content licence s.238
• Ofcom must review and audit the costs of providing social tariffs s.072
• Ofcom must review and audit universal service compliance costs s.070

Management duties

• Avoid anti‑competitive arrangements and practices s.316
• BBC must issue and manage TV licences according to official rules s.364
• Broadcast emergency announcements or stop content on Government order s.336
• Comply with broadcasting standards and complaints procedures Unlimited fine s.325
• Comply with Ofcom conditions when using allocated telephone numbers s.059

Notifications

• Notify customers of alleged copyright infringements s.124
• Notify Ofcom if you plan to transfer local access network assets s.089
• Notify Ofcom if you provide or stop providing a TV selection service s.362
• Notify Ofcom if your internet program service's ownership changes s.362
• Notify Ofcom of changes in ownership or control of Channel 5 s.353

Other requirements

• Avoid disqualification if appointed as a news provider for Channel 3 s.281
• Do not advertise less healthy food or drink before 9.00 pm s.368
• Do not charge the public for receiving Channel 4 or related services s.231
• Follow the Tribunal's direction and reconsider your decision s.194
• Get written approval before providing TV programmes or for-profit activities s.204

Payments and fees

• Do not pay OFCOM for replacement telephone number allocations s.062
• The BBC must pay Ofcom's regulatory costs and any penalties s.198

Policies

• Ofcom must issue and maintain a code of practice for TV selection services s.362
• Ofcom must promote media literacy and issue guidance for service providers s.011
• Ofcom must promote training and equality in the broadcasting sector s.027
• Ofcom must publish and follow penalty setting guidelines s.392
• Ofcom must publish guidance for internet programme and TV selection services s.362

Offences and prohibitions

• Breach broadcasting code restrictions Unlimited fine s.112
• Commit a wireless telegraphy offence s.180
• Contravene a communications code of practice Unlimited fine s.112
• Dishonestly obtain communications services to avoid payment 5 years imprisonment s.125
• Dishonestly obtain electronic communications services to avoid payment 5 years imprisonment s.125

Record keeping

• Ofcom must maintain a public register of network and service providers s.044

Registration and licensing

• Ofcom must maintain and publish a list of regulated TV service providers s.335
• Ofcom must maintain a public list of designated radio selection services s.362

Reporting and filing

• Ofcom must advise the Secretary of State on regulating TV selection services s.362
• Ofcom must maintain and publish a list of Tier 1 providers s.368
• Ofcom must notify the Secretary of State of unacceptable foreign services s.329
• Ofcom must provide and publish advice on radio selection services s.362
• Ofcom must provide information to the Secretary of State upon request s.024

Digital & Technology

Sector-Specific