UK Act of Parliament
2006
United Kingdom
Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
52 compliance obligations, 8 practical guides across 3 topics
Penalty landscape
12 of 52 obligations carry up to 2 years imprisonment. 21 carry different penalties and 19 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 36
- Occupier 1
- Director or Officer 1
Plus 14 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Supporting — topic alignment
7 guidesMentioned in related content
1 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Occupiers also bound by 259 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 2021 39 duties
- Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 2006 34 duties
- The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 1995 34 duties
- Highways Act 1980 1980 23 duties
- Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 2015 18 duties
Directors and Officers also bound by 425 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 161 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 108 duties
- Insolvency Act 1986 1986 72 duties
- The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 2008 55 duties
- The Housing Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2018 2018 26 duties
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.
Part 1 — General provision about radio spectrum
United Kingdom Plan for Frequency Authorisation
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofcom must publish and maintain the UK Plan for Frequency Authorisation Statutory regulator
Duties of OFCOM when carrying out functions
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofcom must consider spectrum availability and demand when managing radio waves Statutory regulator
Special duty in relation to television multiplexes
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofcom must ensure radio capacity for licensed TV multiplex services Statutory regulator
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 2 — Regulation of radio spectrum
Review of long licences
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofcom must review long-term non-transferable wireless licences Statutory regulator
Consultation before grant of exclusive licence
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofcom must consult before granting an exclusive wireless licence Statutory regulator
Terms, provisions and limitations
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofcom must ensure license terms are fair, transparent, and proportionate Statutory regulator
Surrender of licence
Fine up to £1,000- Fail to surrender expired or revoked wireless licence Any Person
Effect of grant of recognised spectrum access
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofcom must protect rights of spectrum access holders when issuing licences Statutory regulator
Charges for grant of recognised spectrum access
- Pay required charges for recognised spectrum access Any Person
Limitations on authorised spectrum use
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofcom must set clear criteria when limiting radio frequency licences Statutory regulator
Spectrum trading
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofcom may create rules for transferring radio spectrum rights Statutory regulator
Statistical information
2 years imprisonment- Provide statistical information to Ofcom upon request Any Person
Information required for purposes of radio spectrum functions
- Provide information to Ofcom regarding radio spectrum use Any Person
Enforcement of notification under section 32C
- Comply with Ofcom confirmation decisions and information penalties Any Person
Statement of policy
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofcom must publish and follow its wireless telegraphy information policy Statutory regulator
Unauthorised use etc of wireless telegraphy station or apparatus
2 years imprisonment- Use or install unauthorised wireless telegraphy equipment Any Person
Keeping available for unauthorised use
2 years imprisonment- Make wireless equipment available for unauthorised use Any Person
Allowing premises to be used for unlawful broadcasting
2 years imprisonment- Permit unlawful broadcasting from your premises Occupier
Facilitating unauthorised broadcasting
2 years imprisonment- Facilitate unauthorised broadcasting Any Person
Offences
Unlimited fine- Breach wireless telegraphy regulations Any Person
Misleading messages
2 years imprisonment- Send false safety‑critical wireless messages Any Person
Interception and disclosure of messages
Unlimited fine- Intercept or disclose wireless messages without authority Any Person
Apparatus in vehicles
Fine up to £1,000- Give false information on vehicle licence for wireless equipment Any Person
Surrender of authority
Fine up to £1,000- Fail to surrender wireless telegraphy authority when required Any Person
Browse 38 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Licences and exemptions
Restriction on grant of exclusive licence
Notice to satellite uplinkers
Restrictions on imposition of limitations etc under section 9
Review of pre-26 May 2011 limitations etc.
Procedure
Charges for grant of licence
Matters taken into account
Bidding for licences
Recovery
Regulations
Sections 12 to 16: interpretation
Grant of recognised spectrum access
Procedure
Matters taken into account
Bidding for grants
Recovery
Regulations
Sections 21 to 25: interpretation
Conversion into and from wireless telegraphy licences
Payments by the Crown
General duty of OFCOM to allow leasing or transfer
Wireless telegraphy register
Restrictions on imposing information requirements
Notification of contravention of information requirements
Penalties for contravention of information requirements
Failure to provide information etc
Contravention of terms, etc
Repeated contravention
Procedure for prosecutions
Special procedure for contraventions by holders of wireless telegraphy licences
Amount of penalty under section 42
Special procedure for contraventions of certain provisions
Relevant amount of gross revenue
Regulations
Interception authorities
Apparatus on foreign-registered ships etc
Wireless personnel
Part 2A — Regulation of dynamic spectrum access services
Register of providers of dynamic spectrum access services
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofcom must maintain a register of dynamic spectrum access providers Statutory regulator
Enforcement of notification under section 53E
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofcom must issue a confirmation decision following a contravention notice Statutory regulator
Requirement to provide information about gross revenue
- Ofcom may require you to provide gross revenue information Any Person
Enforcement of notification under section 53K
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofcom must issue a final decision and reasons regarding contraventions Statutory regulator
Browse 9 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Registration of providers of dynamic spectrum access services
Revocation and variation of registration
Fees for registration etc
Notification of contravention of registration restrictions or conditions
Penalties under section 53E
Meaning of “relevant amount of gross revenue”
Provision of information to persons registered under section 53A
Notification of contravention of information requirements
Penalties under section 53K
Part 3 — Regulation of apparatus
Contravening notice under section 55 or 56
3 months imprisonment- Use equipment in breach of an OFCOM notice Any Person
Obstruction and failure to assist
Unlimited fine- Obstruct or fail to assist a wireless inspector Any Person
Offences
Unlimited fine- Use or possess unauthorised wireless equipment Any Person
Deliberate interference
2 years imprisonment- Deliberately interfere with wireless telegraphy Any Person
Browse 11 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Regulations about use and sale etc of apparatus
Enforcement: use of apparatus
Enforcement: sale etc of apparatus
Appeal against notice under section 55 or 56 etc
Entry and search of premises etc
Sections 54 to 60: interpretation
Restriction orders
Authorities
Compatibility with international obligations
Powers of Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs
Restriction orders: interpretation
Part 4 — Approval of apparatus etc
Offences
Unlimited fine- Supply or advertise prohibited wireless apparatus Any Person
Default of third person
- Be liable for another’s wireless telegraphy offence Any Person
Browse 6 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Approval of apparatus
Approvals: supplementary
The relevant authority
Information etc on or with apparatus
Information etc in advertisements
Part 4: interpretation
Part 5 — Prohibition of broadcasting from sea or air
Broadcasting from ships and aircraft
Unlimited fine- Unauthorised broadcast from ship or aircraft Any Person
Broadcasting from marine structures etc
51 weeks imprisonment- Broadcast from unauthorised marine structure Any Person
Broadcasting from prescribed areas of high seas
Unlimited fine- Make unauthorised broadcast from non‑British ship in prescribed high seas Any Person
Acts connected with broadcasting
- Operate illegal broadcast equipment from high seas Any Person
Management of station
- Participate in management of unlawful broadcasting station Any Person
Facilitating broadcasting from ships or aircraft
2 years imprisonment- Facilitate unauthorised broadcasting from ships or aircraft Any Person
Maintaining or repairing apparatus
2 years imprisonment- Repair or maintain broadcasting equipment unlawfully Any Person
Acts relating to broadcast material
Unlimited fine- Supply, create or advertise material for an unlawful broadcast Any Person
Procuring person to commit offence abroad
Unlimited fine- Procure overseas breach of UK wireless telegraphy rules Any Person
Further provisions
- Assault, obstruct or refuse an enforcement officer Any Person
Penalties and proceedings
2 years imprisonment- Violate wireless telegraphy laws Any Person
Browse 8 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 6 — General
Obstruction and failure to assist
Unlimited fine- Obstruct or refuse to assist wireless telegraphy inspectors Any Person
Obstruction
Unlimited fine- Intentionally obstruct an officer exercising seizure powers Any Person
Detention and disposal of property
Amended 1 timeOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofcom must return or dispose of seized property within set timeframes Statutory regulator
Continuing offences
51 weeks imprisonment- Continue using unlicensed wireless equipment after conviction Any Person
Proceedings and enforcement
Amended 1 timeCriminal liability of company directors etc
2 years imprisonment- Personal liability for directors and officers for wireless telegraphy offences Director or Officer
General restrictions
2 years imprisonment Amended 11 times- Disclose wireless telegraphy information without consent Any Person
General interpretation
Amended 9 timesExtent
Amended 1 timeTerritorial application
Amended 1 timeOrders and regulations made by Secretary of State
Amended 1 timeOrders and regulations made by OFCOM
Amended 1 timeBrowse 19 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Fixed penalties for summary offences
Powers of entry and search
Powers of seizure
Section 101: conclusion of proceedings
Forfeiture on conviction
Forfeiture etc of restricted apparatus
Offences relating to ships or aircraft
Civil proceedings
Fines in Scotland
Service of documents
Documents in electronic form
Timing and location of things done electronically
“Wireless telegraphy”
“Wireless telegraphy apparatus” and “wireless telegraphy station”
Territorial sea and other waters
Consequential amendments
Transitional provisions, savings and transitory modifications
Repeals and revocations
Short title and commencement
Schedules
Seizure and forfeiture of restricted apparatus
- Claim ownership of seized wireless equipment to prevent forfeiture Any Person
Browse 132 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Procedure for wireless telegraphy licences
Fixed penalties
Consequential amendments
Transitional provisions, savings and transitory modifications
(1) An application for a grant of a wireless telegraphy...
(1) The time limits fixed for the purposes of paragraph...
The grounds on which a licence may be refused by...
Where OFCOM propose to refuse a licence they must—
A wireless telegraphy licence continues in force, unless previously revoked...
OFCOM may revoke a wireless telegraphy licence or vary its...
OFCOM may not revoke or vary a wireless telegraphy licence...
(1) Where OFCOM propose to revoke or vary a wireless...
(1) The terms that OFCOM may include in a wireless...
Procedure for grants of recognised spectrum access
(1) An application for a grant of recognised spectrum access...
The grounds on which a grant of recognised spectrum access...
(1) Where OFCOM propose to refuse an application for a...
A grant of recognised spectrum access continues in force, unless...
OFCOM may revoke or modify a grant of recognised spectrum...
(1) Where OFCOM propose to revoke or modify a grant...
(1) The conditions that OFCOM may include in a grant...
Suspension and revocation of authorities issued to wireless personnel
(1) On suspending the authority, the Secretary of State must...
(1) The person to whom the authority was issued may...
(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies— (a) after the Secretary of State...
The Secretary of State is to pay—
(1) This Schedule applies to an offence under this Act...
(1) This paragraph applies to proceedings for a relevant offence....
In any proceedings, a certificate— (a) that payment of a...
The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as...
In this Schedule “relevant officer” means— (a) in relation to...
(1) The fixed penalty for a relevant offence is such...
(1) If OFCOM have reason to believe that a person...
(1) A fixed penalty notice must— (a) state the alleged...
If it appears to a person who has issued a...
A person who issues (or withdraws) a fixed penalty notice...
(1) This paragraph applies if a fixed penalty notice is...
(1) If the alleged offender decides to pay the fixed...
If the fixed penalty specified in a fixed penalty notice...
Forfeiture on conviction
(1) Where a person is convicted of a relevant offence,...
(1) Where a person is convicted of an offence under...
Apparatus may be ordered to be forfeited under paragraph 1...
Apparatus ordered to be forfeited under paragraph 1 or 2...
(1) A court that orders apparatus to be forfeited under...
Section 140 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43)...
The following provisions (under which a court convicting a person...
(1) This Schedule applies to restricted apparatus seized—
(1) In proceedings for condemnation that are instituted in England...
(1) In the case of proceedings for condemnation instituted in...
Where an appeal has been made (whether by case stated...
(1) This paragraph applies where a requirement is imposed by...
In proceedings arising out of the seizure of restricted apparatus,...
In any proceedings, the condemnation by a court of restricted...
(1) This paragraph applies for the purposes of—
Neither the imposition of a requirement by or under this...
(1) OFCOM must give notice of the seizure of the...
A person claiming that the restricted apparatus is not liable...
(1) A notice of claim must be given within one...
The restricted apparatus is to be taken to have been...
(1) Where a notice of claim in respect of the...
Where the restricted apparatus is condemned or taken to have...
Proceedings for condemnation are civil proceedings and may be instituted—...
Proceedings for the condemnation of restricted apparatus instituted in a...
In section 14 of the Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 1955...
In section 3 (licences under Part 1 of that Act)...
In section 86 (licences under Part 3 of that Act)...
(1) Section 89 (offences giving rise to disqualification) is amended...
In section 202 (general interpretation) in subsection (1), for the...
In section 11 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994 (interpretation...
In section 91 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (report...
In section 302 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995...
In section 3 of the Broadcasting Act 1996 (licences under...
In section 42 of that Act (licences under Part 2...
In section 108 of the Police Act 1997 (interpretation of...
(1) Section 5 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967 (offences...
In Schedule 10 to the Terrorism Act 2000 (munitions and...
The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 is amended as...
(1) Section 3 (lawful interception without an interception warrant) is...
In section 18 (exceptions to section 17) in subsection (12)(c),...
In section 81 (general interpretation) in subsection (1), in the...
The Communications Act 2003 is amended as follows.
In section 14 (consumer research) in subsection (2), for “the...
In section 190 (resolution of disputes referred to OFCOM) in...
In section 192(1) (appeals: decisions subject to appeal)—
In section 364 (TV licences) in subsection (2)(f), for “the...
In section 7 of the Theatres Act 1968 (exceptions for...
In section 366 (powers to enforce TV licensing) in subsection...
In section 393 (general restrictions on disclosure of information) in...
In section 400 (destination of licence fees and penalties), in...
(1) Section 401 (power of OFCOM to retain costs of...
(1) Section 405 (general interpretation) is amended as follows.
In section 410 (application of enactments to territorial sea and...
In Schedule 8 (decisions not subject to civil appeal), omit...
In section 146 of the Income Tax (Trading and Other...
In Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Commissioners for...
In section 190 of the Port of London Act 1968...
In section 142 of the Local Government Act 1972 (provision...
In section 53 of the Thames Barrier and Flood Prevention...
In section 9 of the Road Traffic (Driver Licensing and...
In Article 26(2) of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern...
The Broadcasting Act 1990 is amended as follows.
The substitution of provisions of this Act for provisions repealed...
An order under Part 2 of the Deregulation and Contracting...
(1) This paragraph has effect in relation to wireless telegraphy...
(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies where, immediately before the commencement of...
The repeal by this Act of sections 11 and 12...
The repeal by this Act of part of section 3(1)(ii)...
(1) This paragraph has effect in relation to prosecutions to...
In relation to an offence committed before 2 May 2022,...
In relation to an offence committed before 18th September 2003...
In relation to an offence committed on or after 18th...
In relation to an offence committed before the commencement of...
Anything done, or having effect as if done, under or...
Schedule 4 to this Act does not apply to offences...
In relation to an offence committed before 18th September 2003...
Nothing in section 104 of, and Schedule 6 to, this...
The repeals made by this Act do not affect the...
(1) An Order in Council made under a provision that...
(1) This paragraph applies in the case of an Order...
(1) This paragraph applies if paragraph 25 of Schedule 7...
(1) This paragraph applies if— (a) section 180 of the...
Section 121(3) of this Act does not apply to an...
(1) This paragraph applies to any transitional or transitory provision...
A reference (express or implied) in this Act or another...
(1) A reference (express or implied) in an enactment, or...
Paragraphs 1 to 4 have effect in place of section...
Paragraphs 2 and 4(1) do not apply to an Order...
(1) The repeal by this Act of an enactment previously...
A reference to an enactment repealed by this Act which...
(1) This paragraph has effect during the period of two...
Repeals and revocations
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Offshore VHF and NDB assignments | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab) from CAA Detailed Guidance
- Display and use of surveillance data from unregulated systems | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab) from CAA Detailed Guidance
- Radio Operator Certificate of Competence Privileges | UK Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new tab) from CAA Detailed Guidance
- Apply for a restricted service licence (opens in a new tab) from Ofcom Detailed Guidance
- Apply for a Restricted Television Service for an Event (RTSL-E) licence (opens in a new tab) from Ofcom Detailed Guidance
- Small Scale DAB trial (opens in a new tab) from Ofcom Detailed Guidance
- Self help TV relays and digital switchover (opens in a new tab) from Ofcom Detailed Guidance
- Engineering Code (opens in a new tab) from Ofcom Code of Practice
- Cellular Networks and Technology (opens in a new tab) from Ofcom Detailed Guidance
- Ofcom: telecoms security (opens in a new tab) from Ofcom Detailed Guidance
- ... and 10 more
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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Browse legislation
Find other UK business legislation with related guidance.
Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.