# Communications Act 2003, Section 139B: Power to deal with urgent cases


(1) This section applies where OFCOM determine—
(a) that they are entitled to give a notification under section 138 with respect to a contravention by a person (“P”) of a requirement imposed under section 135 or 136;
(b) that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the case is an urgent case; and
(c) that the urgency of the case makes it appropriate for OFCOM to take action under this section.
(2) A case is an urgent case for the purposes of this section if the contravention has resulted in, or creates an immediate risk of—
(a) a serious threat to the safety of the public, to public health or to national security;
(b) serious economic or operational problems for persons (other than P) who are communications providers or persons who make associated facilities available; or
(c) serious economic or operational problems for persons who make use of electronic communications networks, electronic communications services or associated facilities.
(3) OFCOM may give P a direction—
(a) that the entitlement of P to provide electronic communications networks or electronic communications services, or to make associated facilities available, is suspended (either generally or in relation to particular networks, services or facilities); or
(b) that that entitlement is restricted in the respects set out in the direction.
(4) Subsections (3) to (6) of section 140 apply in relation to a direction under subsection (3) as they apply in relation to a direction under section 140.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/139B (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/communications-act-2003/section-139B
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.