Search Legislation

Advanced Search

Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006

Changes to legislation:

Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 17 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the affected provisions when you open the content using the Table of Contents below.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to :

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

  1. Introductory Text

  2. Part 1 General provision about radio spectrum

    1. Radio spectrum functions of OFCOM

      1. 1.General functions

      2. 2.United Kingdom Plan for Frequency Authorisation

      3. 3.Duties of OFCOM when carrying out functions

      4. 4.Advisory service in relation to interference

      5. 5.Directions of Secretary of State

      6. 6.Procedure for directions

    2. Reservation of spectrum for multiplex use

      1. 7.Special duty in relation to television multiplexes

  3. Part 2 Regulation of radio spectrum

    1. Chapter 1 Wireless telegraphy licences

      1. Licensing of wireless telegraphy

        1. 8.Licences and exemptions

        2. 8A.Review of long licences

        3. 8B.Restriction on grant of exclusive licence

        4. 8C.Consultation before grant of exclusive licence

        5. 9.Terms, provisions and limitations

        6. 9ZA. Restrictions on imposition of limitations etc under section 9

        7. 9ZB. Review of pre-26 May 2011 limitations etc.

        8. 9A.Notice to satellite uplinkers

        9. 10.Procedure

        10. 11.Surrender of licence

      2. Charges etc

        1. 12.Charges for grant of licence

        2. 13.Matters taken into account

        3. 14.Bidding for licences

        4. 15.Recovery

        5. 16.Regulations

        6. 17.Sections 12 to 16: interpretation

    2. Chapter 2 Grants of recognised spectrum access

      1. Making of grants

        1. 18.Grant of recognised spectrum access

        2. 19.Procedure

        3. 20.Effect of grant of recognised spectrum access

      2. Charges etc

        1. 21.Charges for grant of recognised spectrum access

        2. 22.Matters taken into account

        3. 23.Bidding for grants

        4. 24.Recovery

        5. 25.Regulations

        6. 26.Sections 21 to 25: interpretation

    3. Chapter 3 Management of radio spectrum

      1. General

        1. 27.Conversion into and from wireless telegraphy licences

        2. 28.Payments by the Crown

        3. 29.Limitations on authorised spectrum use

        4. 30.Spectrum trading

        5. 30A.General duty of OFCOM to allow leasing or transfer

      2. Wireless telegraphy register

        1. 31.Wireless telegraphy register

      3. Statistical information

        1. 32.Statistical information

        2. 32A.Information required for purposes of radio spectrum functions

        3. 32B.Restrictions on imposing information requirements

        4. 32C.Notification of contravention of information requirements

        5. 32D.Penalties for contravention of information requirements

        6. 32E.Enforcement of notification under section 32C

        7. 33.Failure to provide information etc

        8. 34.Statement of policy

    4. Chapter 4 Enforcement

      1. Unauthorised use etc

        1. 35.Unauthorised use etc of wireless telegraphy station or apparatus

        2. 36.Keeping available for unauthorised use

        3. 37.Allowing premises to be used for unlawful broadcasting

        4. 38.Facilitating unauthorised broadcasting

      2. Procedures for contraventions

        1. 39.Contravention of terms, etc

        2. 40.Repeated contravention

        3. 41.Procedure for prosecutions

        4. 42.Special procedure for contraventions by holders of wireless telegraphy licences

        5. 43.Amount of penalty under section 42

        6. 43A.Special procedure for contraventions of certain provisions

        7. 44.Relevant amount of gross revenue

    5. Chapter 5 Miscellaneous

      1. Regulations about wireless telegraphy

        1. 45.Regulations

        2. 46.Offences

      2. Misuse of wireless telegraphy

        1. 47.Misleading messages

        2. 48.Interception and disclosure of messages

        3. 49.Interception authorities

      3. Miscellaneous

        1. 50.Apparatus on foreign-registered ships etc

        2. 51.Apparatus in vehicles

        3. 52.Wireless personnel

        4. 53.Surrender of authority

  4. PART 2A Regulation of dynamic spectrum access services

    1. Registration

      1. 53A.Registration of providers of dynamic spectrum access services

      2. 53B.Revocation and variation of registration

      3. 53C.Register of providers of dynamic spectrum access services

    2. Fees

      1. 53D.Fees for registration etc

    3. Enforcement

      1. 53E.Notification of contravention of registration restrictions or conditions

      2. 53F.Penalties under section 53E

      3. 53G.Enforcement of notification under section 53E

      4. 53H.Meaning of “relevant amount of gross revenue”

      5. 53I.Requirement to provide information about gross revenue

    4. Information

      1. 53J.Provision of information to persons registered under section 53A

      2. 53K.Notification of contravention of information requirements

      3. 53L.Penalties under section 53K

      4. 53M.Enforcement of notification under section 53K

  5. Part 3 Regulation of apparatus

    1. Undue interference

      1. 54.Regulations about use and sale etc of apparatus

      2. 55.Enforcement: use of apparatus

      3. 56.Enforcement: sale etc of apparatus

      4. 57.Appeal against notice under section 55 or 56 etc

      5. 58.Contravening notice under section 55 or 56

      6. 59.Entry and search of premises etc

      7. 60.Obstruction and failure to assist

      8. 61.Sections 54 to 60: interpretation

    2. Restriction orders

      1. 62.Restriction orders

      2. 63.Authorities

      3. 64.Compatibility with international obligations

      4. 65.Powers of Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs

      5. 66.Offences

      6. 67.Restriction orders: interpretation

    3. Deliberate interference

      1. 68.Deliberate interference

  6. Part 4 Approval of apparatus etc

    1. Approval of apparatus

      1. 69.Approval of apparatus

      2. 70.Approvals: supplementary

      3. 71.The relevant authority

    2. Marking etc of apparatus

      1. 72.Information etc on or with apparatus

      2. 73.Information etc in advertisements

      3. 74.Offences

      4. 75.Default of third person

    3. Interpretation

      1. 76.Part 4: interpretation

  7. Part 5 Prohibition of broadcasting from sea or air

    1. Prohibitions

      1. 77.Broadcasting from ships and aircraft

      2. 78.Broadcasting from marine structures etc

      3. 79.Broadcasting from prescribed areas of high seas

      4. 80.Acts connected with broadcasting

      5. 81.Management of station

      6. 82.Facilitating broadcasting from ships or aircraft

      7. 83.Facilitating broadcasting from structures etc

      8. 84.Maintaining or repairing apparatus

      9. 85.Acts relating to broadcast material

      10. 86.Facilitation offences: territorial scope

      11. 87.Procuring person to commit offence abroad

    2. Enforcement

      1. 88.Enforcement officers

      2. 89.Enforcement powers

      3. 90.Enforcement powers: facilitation offences

      4. 91.Exercise of powers

      5. 92.Further provisions

    3. Penalties and proceedings

      1. 93.Penalties and proceedings

    4. Saving

      1. 94.Saving for certain broadcasts

    5. Interpretation

      1. 95.Part 5: interpretation

  8. Part 6 General

    1. Fixed penalties

      1. 96.Fixed penalties for summary offences

    2. Entry, search and seizure

      1. 97.Powers of entry and search

      2. 98.Obstruction and failure to assist

      3. 99.Powers of seizure

      4. 100.Obstruction

    3. Disposal and forfeiture

      1. 101.Detention and disposal of property

      2. 102.Section 101: conclusion of proceedings

      3. 103.Forfeiture on conviction

      4. 104.Forfeiture etc of restricted apparatus

    4. Enforcement, proceedings etc

      1. 105.Offences relating to ships or aircraft

      2. 106.Continuing offences

      3. 107.Proceedings and enforcement

      4. 108.Civil proceedings

      5. 109.Fines in Scotland

      6. 110.Criminal liability of company directors etc

    5. Disclosure of information

      1. 111.General restrictions

    6. Notifications etc and electronic working

      1. 112.Service of documents

      2. 113.Documents in electronic form

      3. 114.Timing and location of things done electronically

    7. Interpretation

      1. 115.General interpretation

      2. 116.“Wireless telegraphy”

      3. 117.“Wireless telegraphy apparatus” and “wireless telegraphy station”

    8. Extent and application

      1. 118.Extent

      2. 119.Territorial application

      3. 120.Territorial sea and other waters

    9. Supplemental

      1. 121.Orders and regulations made by Secretary of State

      2. 122.Orders and regulations made by OFCOM

      3. 123.Consequential amendments

      4. 124.Transitional provisions, savings and transitory modifications

      5. 125.Repeals and revocations

      6. 126.Short title and commencement

  9. SCHEDULES

    1. SCHEDULE 1

      Procedure for wireless telegraphy licences

      1. General procedure for applications

        1. 1.(1) An application for a grant of a wireless telegraphy...

      2. Time limits

        1. 2.(1) The time limits fixed for the purposes of paragraph...

      3. Information to be provided in connection with applications

        1. 3.The grounds on which a licence may be refused by...

      4. Proposed refusal

        1. 4.Where OFCOM propose to refuse a licence they must—

      5. Duration

        1. 5.A wireless telegraphy licence continues in force, unless previously revoked...

      6. Revocation or variation

        1. 6.OFCOM may revoke a wireless telegraphy licence or vary its...

        2. 6A.OFCOM may not revoke or vary a wireless telegraphy licence...

      7. Notification of proposed revocation or variation

        1. 7.(1) Where OFCOM propose to revoke or vary a wireless...

      8. Restriction on powers of revocation and variation

        1. 8.(1) The terms that OFCOM may include in a wireless...

    2. SCHEDULE 2

      Procedure for grants of recognised spectrum access

      1. General procedure for applications

        1. 1.(1) An application for a grant of recognised spectrum access...

      2. Information to be provided in connection with applications

        1. 2.The grounds on which a grant of recognised spectrum access...

      3. Notice of proposed refusal of application

        1. 3.(1) Where OFCOM propose to refuse an application for a...

      4. Duration of grant

        1. 4.A grant of recognised spectrum access continues in force, unless...

      5. Revocation or modification

        1. 5.OFCOM may revoke or modify a grant of recognised spectrum...

      6. Notice of proposed revocation or modification

        1. 6.(1) Where OFCOM propose to revoke or modify a grant...

      7. Restriction on powers of revocation and modification

        1. 7.(1) The conditions that OFCOM may include in a grant...

    3. SCHEDULE 3

      Suspension and revocation of authorities issued to wireless personnel

      1. Notice of suspension

        1. 1.(1) On suspending the authority, the Secretary of State must...

      2. Reference to advisory committee

        1. 2.(1) The person to whom the authority was issued may...

      3. Decision by Secretary of State

        1. 3.(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies— (a) after the Secretary of State...

      4. Payment of expenses

        1. 4.The Secretary of State is to pay—

    4. SCHEDULE 4

      Fixed penalties

      1. Offences to which this Schedule applies

        1. 1.(1) This Schedule applies to an offence under this Act...

      2. Fixed penalties and fixed penalty notices

        1. 2.(1) The fixed penalty for a relevant offence is such...

      3. Issuing of fixed penalty notice

        1. 3.(1) If OFCOM have reason to believe that a person...

      4. Content of fixed penalty notice

        1. 4.(1) A fixed penalty notice must— (a) state the alleged...

      5. Withdrawal of fixed penalty notice

        1. 5.If it appears to a person who has issued a...

      6. Notification to person to whom payment is to be made

        1. 6.A person who issues (or withdraws) a fixed penalty notice...

      7. Effect of fixed penalty notice

        1. 7.(1) This paragraph applies if a fixed penalty notice is...

      8. Payment of fixed penalty

        1. 8.(1) If the alleged offender decides to pay the fixed...

      9. Effect of payment

        1. 9.If the fixed penalty specified in a fixed penalty notice...

      10. Service of statement and proof of service

        1. 10.(1) This paragraph applies to proceedings for a relevant offence....

      11. Certificate about payment

        1. 11.In any proceedings, a certificate— (a) that payment of a...

      12. Regulations

        1. 12.The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as...

      13. Interpretation

        1. 13.In this Schedule “relevant officer” means— (a) in relation to...

    5. SCHEDULE 5

      Forfeiture on conviction

      1. Power to order forfeiture

        1. 1.(1) Where a person is convicted of a relevant offence,...

      2. Forfeiture in relation to restricted apparatus

        1. 2.(1) Where a person is convicted of an offence under...

      3. Property of third parties

        1. 3.Apparatus may be ordered to be forfeited under paragraph 1...

      4. Disposal of apparatus

        1. 4.Apparatus ordered to be forfeited under paragraph 1 or 2...

      5. Delivery to OFCOM

        1. 5.(1) A court that orders apparatus to be forfeited under...

      6. Provisions as to disposal of property disapplied

        1. 6.Section 140 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43)...

      7. Provisions as to deprivation of property disapplied

        1. 7.The following provisions (under which a court convicting a person...

    6. SCHEDULE 6

      Seizure and forfeiture of restricted apparatus

      1. Application of Schedule

        1. 1.(1) This Schedule applies to restricted apparatus seized—

      2. Notice of seizure

        1. 2.(1) OFCOM must give notice of the seizure of the...

      3. Notice of claim

        1. 3.A person claiming that the restricted apparatus is not liable...

        2. 4.(1) A notice of claim must be given within one...

      4. Condemnation

        1. 5.The restricted apparatus is to be taken to have been...

        2. 6.(1) Where a notice of claim in respect of the...

        3. 7.Where the restricted apparatus is condemned or taken to have...

      5. Proceedings for condemnation by court

        1. 8.Proceedings for condemnation are civil proceedings and may be instituted—...

        2. 9.Proceedings for the condemnation of restricted apparatus instituted in a...

        3. 10.(1) In proceedings for condemnation that are instituted in England...

        4. 11.(1) In the case of proceedings for condemnation instituted in...

        5. 12.Where an appeal has been made (whether by case stated...

      6. Disposal of unclaimed property

        1. 13.(1) This paragraph applies where a requirement is imposed by...

      7. Provisions as to proof

        1. 14.In proceedings arising out of the seizure of restricted apparatus,...

        2. 15.In any proceedings, the condemnation by a court of restricted...

      8. Special provisions as to certain claimants

        1. 16.(1) This paragraph applies for the purposes of—

      9. Saving for owner's rights

        1. 17.Neither the imposition of a requirement by or under this...

    7. SCHEDULE 7

      Consequential amendments

      1. Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 1955 (c. 11 (N.I.))

        1. 1.In section 14 of the Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 1955...

      2. Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967 (c. 72)

        1. 2.(1) Section 5 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967 (offences...

      3. Theatres Act 1968 (c. 54)

        1. 3.In section 7 of the Theatres Act 1968 (exceptions for...

      4. Port of London Act 1968 (c. xxxii)

        1. 4.In section 190 of the Port of London Act 1968...

      5. Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70)

        1. 5.In section 142 of the Local Government Act 1972 (provision...

      6. Thames Barrier and Flood Prevention Act 1972 (c. xlv)

        1. 6.In section 53 of the Thames Barrier and Flood Prevention...

      7. Road Traffic (Driver Licensing and Information Systems) Act 1989 (c. 22)

        1. 7.In section 9 of the Road Traffic (Driver Licensing and...

      8. Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12))

        1. 8.In Article 26(2) of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern...

      9. Broadcasting Act 1990 (c. 42)

        1. 9.The Broadcasting Act 1990 is amended as follows.

        2. 10.In section 3 (licences under Part 1 of that Act)...

        3. 11.In section 86 (licences under Part 3 of that Act)...

        4. 12.(1) Section 89 (offences giving rise to disqualification) is amended...

        5. 13.In section 202 (general interpretation) in subsection (1), for the...

      10. Intelligence Services Act 1994 (c. 13)

        1. 14.In section 11 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994 (interpretation...

      11. Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (c. 21)

        1. 15.In section 91 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (report...

      12. Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 46)

        1. 16.In section 302 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995...

      13. Broadcasting Act 1996 (c. 55)

        1. 17.In section 3 of the Broadcasting Act 1996 (licences under...

        2. 18.In section 42 of that Act (licences under Part 2...

      14. Police Act 1997 (c. 50)

        1. 19.In section 108 of the Police Act 1997 (interpretation of...

      15. Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11)

        1. 20.In Schedule 10 to the Terrorism Act 2000 (munitions and...

      16. Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (c. 23)

        1. 21.The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 is amended as...

        2. 22.(1) Section 3 (lawful interception without an interception warrant) is...

        3. 23.In section 18 (exceptions to section 17) in subsection (12)(c),...

        4. 24.In section 81 (general interpretation) in subsection (1), in the...

      17. Communications Act 2003 (c. 21)

        1. 25.The Communications Act 2003 is amended as follows.

        2. 26.In section 14 (consumer research) in subsection (2), for “the...

        3. 27.In section 190 (resolution of disputes referred to OFCOM) in...

        4. 28.In section 192(1) (appeals: decisions subject to appeal)—

        5. 29.In section 364 (TV licences) in subsection (2)(f), for “the...

        6. 30.In section 366 (powers to enforce TV licensing) in subsection...

        7. 31.In section 393 (general restrictions on disclosure of information) in...

        8. 32.In section 400 (destination of licence fees and penalties), in...

        9. 33.(1) Section 401 (power of OFCOM to retain costs of...

        10. 34.(1) Section 405 (general interpretation) is amended as follows.

        11. 35.In section 410 (application of enactments to territorial sea and...

        12. 36.In Schedule 8 (decisions not subject to civil appeal), omit...

      18. Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 (c. 5)

        1. 37.In section 146 of the Income Tax (Trading and Other...

      19. Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (c. 11)

        1. 38.In Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Commissioners for...

    8. SCHEDULE 8

      Transitional provisions, savings and transitory modifications

      1. Part 1 Transitional provisions and savings

        1. General provisions

          1. 1.The substitution of provisions of this Act for provisions repealed...

          2. 2.Anything done, or having effect as if done, under or...

          3. 3.A reference (express or implied) in this Act or another...

          4. 4.(1) A reference (express or implied) in an enactment, or...

          5. 5.Paragraphs 1 to 4 have effect in place of section...

          6. 6.Paragraphs 2 and 4(1) do not apply to an Order...

        2. General rule for old savings

          1. 7.(1) The repeal by this Act of an enactment previously...

        3. Use of existing forms etc

          1. 8.A reference to an enactment repealed by this Act which...

        4. Regulatory Reform Act 2001 (c. 6)

          1. 9.(1) This paragraph has effect during the period of two...

        5. Contracted-out functions under section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949

          1. 10.An order under Part 2 of the Deregulation and Contracting...

        6. Wireless telegraphy licences granted before 18th June 1998

          1. 11.(1) This paragraph has effect in relation to wireless telegraphy...

        7. Procedures treated as prescribed by regulations made by OFCOM

          1. 12.(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies where, immediately before the commencement of...

        8. Tribunal established under section 9 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949

          1. 13.The repeal by this Act of sections 11 and 12...

        9. References to Postmaster General etc

          1. 14.The repeal by this Act of part of section 3(1)(ii)...

        10. Procedure for prosecutions

          1. 15.(1) This paragraph has effect in relation to prosecutions to...

        11. Penalties for certain offences triable either way

          1. 16.In relation to an offence committed before 2 May 2022,...

        12. Penalties for offences: unauthorised use of wireless telegraphy station etc

          1. 17.In relation to an offence committed before 18th September 2003...

          2. 18.In relation to an offence committed on or after 18th...

        13. Penalties for offences: contravening notice under section 55 or 56

          1. 19.In relation to an offence committed before the commencement of...

        14. Fixed penalties for wireless telegraphy offences

          1. 20.Schedule 4 to this Act does not apply to offences...

        15. Powers of seizure

          1. 21.In relation to an offence committed before 18th September 2003...

        16. Forfeiture etc of restricted apparatus

          1. 22.Nothing in section 104 of, and Schedule 6 to, this...

        17. Appeals of wireless telegraphy decisions

          1. 23.The repeals made by this Act do not affect the...

        18. Orders in Council: section 118

          1. 24.(1) An Order in Council made under a provision that...

        19. Orders in Council: continental shelf

          1. 25.(1) This paragraph applies in the case of an Order...

      2. Part 2 Transitory modifications

        1. Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26)

          1. 26.(1) This paragraph applies if paragraph 25 of Schedule 7...

        2. Communications Act 2003 (c. 21)

          1. 27.(1) This paragraph applies if— (a) section 180 of the...

        3. Power to make transitional provision

          1. 28.Section 121(3) of this Act does not apply to an...

        4. Saving for old transitional provisions

          1. 29.(1) This paragraph applies to any transitional or transitory provision...

    9. SCHEDULE 9

      Repeals and revocations

      1. Part 1 Repeals

      2. Part 2 Revocations

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources

The data on this page is available in the alternative data formats listed: