Communications Act 2003 (c. 21)

Part 2 U.K. Networks, services and the radio spectrum

Chapter 1 U.K. Electronic communications networks and services

Access-related conditions U.K.

75 Conditional access systems and access to digital services U.K.

F1 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) It shall be the duty of OFCOM to ensure—

(a) that access-related conditions are applied to every person who provides a conditional access system in relation to a protected programme service; and

(b) that those conditions make all such provision as is required by the provision contained F2 ... in Part I of [F3 Annex 2 to the EECC Directive] (conditions relating to access to digital programme services) [F4 as it had effect immediately before IP completion day].

[F5 (2A) For the purposes of subsection (2)(b), Part 1 of Annex 2 to the EECC Directive is to be read as if—

(a) the reference to viewers and listeners in the Union were a reference to viewers and listeners in the United Kingdom;

(b) the reference to member States were a reference to OFCOM;

(c) the words “in accordance with Article 62” were omitted;

(d) in point (a), the references to Union competition law were references to any provision relating to competition that is contained in or made under an enactment.]

[F6 (2B) OFCOM may also apply access-related conditions to any person who provides a conditional access system in relation to services which are not protected programme services but appear to OFCOM to be complementary to protected programme services; and those conditions may contain any provision of the kind mentioned in subsection (2)(b).]

(3) In this section—

• “conditional access system” means any system, facility, arrangements or technical measure under or by means of which access to programme services requires—

  (a)

  a subscription to the service or to a service that includes that service; or

  (b)

  an authorisation to view it, or to listen to it, on a particular occasion;

• “protected programme service” means a programme service the programmes included in which cannot be viewed or listened to in an intelligible form except by the use of a conditional access system.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 75(1) omitted (26.5.2011) by virtue of The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 40 (with Sch. 3 para. 2)

F2 Words in s. 75(2)(b) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Broadcasting (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/224), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 19(2)(a) (with reg. 6) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1536, regs. 2, 5(2)(3)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F3 Words in s. 75(2)(b) substituted (21.12.2020) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy (Amendment) (European Electronic Communications Code and EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 33(2)

F4 Words in s. 75(2)(b) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy (Amendment) (European Electronic Communications Code and EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1419), reg. 1(3)(a), Sch. 1 para. 72(2)

F5 S. 75(2A) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy (Amendment) (European Electronic Communications Code and EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1419), reg. 1(3)(a), Sch. 1 para. 72(3)

F6 S. 75(2B) inserted (21.12.2020) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy (Amendment) (European Electronic Communications Code and EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 33(3)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 75 in force at 25.7.2003 for specified purposes by S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3))

I2 S. 75 in force at 29.12.2003 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(2) (with art. 11)