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Section 151 Possession of a SIM farmI1I2

United Kingdom

(1)

A person who possesses a SIM farm commits an offence.

For the meaning of “SIM farm”, see section 153.

(2)

It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that the person had a good reason or lawful authority for possessing the SIM farm.

(3)

In subsection (2) the reference to a good reason for possessing a SIM farm includes in particular possessing it for a purpose connected with—

(a)

providing broadcasting services,

(b)

operating or maintaining a public transport service,

(c)

operating or maintaining an electronic communications network (as defined by section 32 of the Communications Act 2003), or

(d)

tracking freight or monitoring it in any other way.

This subsection does not limit subsection (2).

(4)

For the purposes of subsection (2), where a person possesses a SIM farm in order to supply it to another, the person has a good reason for possessing it only if any supply would be in accordance with section 152(2)(a) to (c).

(5)

A person who commits an offence under this section is liable—

(a)

on summary conviction in England and Wales, to a fine;

(b)

on summary conviction in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

Annotations

Commencement

I1

S. 151 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 255(1)

I2

S. 151 in force at 29.10.2026 by S.I. 2026/960, reg. 5(a)