Section 153 Sections 151 and 152: meaning of “SIM farm” etcI1I2
United Kingdom
In sections 151 and 152, “SIM farm” means—
a device which is capable of using five or more SIM cards simultaneously or interchangeably, for a purpose mentioned in subsection (2), or
an article specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.
The purposes are—
making telephone calls to persons at telephone numbers allocated in accordance with national or international numbering plans, or
sending messages to, or receiving messages from, such telephone numbers.
“SIM card” means—
a removable physical subscriber identity module, or
an article specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.
A SIM card is “used” for the purpose of making a telephone call, or sending or receiving a message, if the SIM card enables the service by which the call or message is conveyed to be accessed.
Regulations under subsection (1) may specify only articles which the Secretary of State considers are capable of being used for a purpose mentioned in subsection (2) in a way which is a similar to a device within subsection (1)(a).
Regulations under subsection (3) may specify only articles which the Secretary of State considers have a similar function to removable physical subscriber identity modules.
“Article” includes information in electronic form.
Before making regulations under this section, the Secretary of State must consult such persons appearing to the Secretary of State to be likely to be affected by the regulations as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
Schedule 16 confers powers of entry etc in relation to offences under sections 151 and 152 and related inchoate offences.
Annotations
Commencement
- I1
S. 153 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 255(1)
- I2
S. 153 in force at 29.10.2026 by S.I. 2026/960, reg. 5(a)