OpenLegislation

Telecommunications Act 1984 in England

1984 c. 12 · Enacted 12 April 1984 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 3 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 6 April 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 1repealedCommunications Act 2003 Sch. 19(1) Note 1
s. 55repealedCommunications Act 2003 Sch. 19(1) Note 1
Sch. 1repealedCommunications Act 2003 Sch. 19(1) Note 1

An Act to provide for the appointment and functions of a Director General of Telecommunications; to abolish British Telecommunications’ exclusive privilege with respect to telecommunications and to make new provision with respect to the provision of telecommunication services and certain related services; to make provision, in substitution for the Telegraph Acts 1863 to 1916 and Part IV of the Post Office Act 1969, for the matters there dealt with and related matters; to provide for the vesting of property, rights and liabilities of British Telecommunications in a company nominated by the Secretary of State and the subsequent dissolution of British Telecommunications; to make provision with respect to the finances of that company; to amend the Wireless Telegraphy Acts 1949 to 1967, to make further provision for facilitating enforcement of those Acts and otherwise to make provision with respect to wireless telegraphy apparatus and certain related apparatus; to give statutory authority for the payment out of money provided by Parliament of expenses incurred by the Secretary of State in providing a radio interference service; to increase the maximum number of members of British Telecommunications pending its dissolution; and for connected purposes.

[12th April 1984] C1C2C3C4

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C5

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act amended (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/593, reg. 2, Sch. 1

C2

Act modified (25.7.2003 for specified purposes, 29.12.2003 for further specified purposes) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 404, 406, 408, 411 (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 3(2) (as amended (8.12.2003) by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3))); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(2) (with art. 11)

C3

Act modified (25.7.2003) by The Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/730), reg. 6(2)(3) (as substituted by The Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1903), reg. 2(6)

C4

Act applied (E.W.S.) (22.12.2017) by The M20 Junction 10a Development Consent Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/1202), art. 17(4) (with arts. 4, 37)

C5

Act modified (E.W.) (6.8.2020) by The A19 Downhill Lane Junction Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/746), arts. 1, 15(4) (with art. 5)

Contents

  1. Part I: Introductory
  2. 1The Director General of Telecommunications.
  3. 2Abolition of British Telecommunications’ exclusive privilege.
  4. 3General duties of Secretary of State and Director.
  5. 4Meaning of “telecommunication system” and related expressions.
  6. Part II: Provision of Telecommunication Services
  7. Licensing etc. of telecommunication systems
  8. 5Prohibition on running unlicensed systems.
  9. 6Exceptions to section 5.
  10. 7Power to license systems.
  11. 7ALicensing procedures
  12. 8Special provisions applicable to certain licences.
  13. 9Public telecommunication systems.
  14. 10The telecommunications code.
  15. 11Provisions supplementary to section 10.
  16. Modification of licences
  17. 12Modification of licence conditions by agreement.
  18. 12AAgreement required for the purposes of section 12.
  19. 13Licence modification references to Commission.
  20. 13AReferences under section 13: time limits
  21. 13BReferences under section 13: powers of investigation
  22. 14Reports on licence modification references.
  23. 15Modification of licence conditions following report.
  24. Enforcement of licences
  25. 16Securing compliance with licence conditions.
  26. 17Procedural requirements.
  27. 18Validity and effect of orders.
  28. 19Register of licences and orders.
  29. Approvals etc. for the purposes of licences
  30. 20Approval of contractors.
  31. 21Register of approved contractors.
  32. 22Approval etc. of apparatus.
  33. 23Register of approved apparatus etc.
  34. 24Approval etc. of meters.
  35. 25Delegation of functions under sections 22 and 24.
  36. 26Grants and loans to persons exercising certain functions.
  37. 27Recognition of bodies representing consumers etc.
  38. Standards of performance
  39. 27AStandards of performance in individual cases.
  40. 27BOverall standards of performance.
  41. 27CInformation with respect to levels of performance.
  42. 27DInformation to be given to customers about overall performance.
  43. 27EProcedures for dealing with complaints.
  44. 27FDisputes about discrimination etc. in fixing charges.
  45. 27GBilling disputes.
  46. 27HDeposits.
  47. 27IComplaints about deposits.
  48. 27JDisconnections.
  49. 27KEnforcement of standards of performance, etc.
  50. 27LDefinitions for sections 27A to 27K.
  51. Marking etc. of telecommunication apparatus
  52. 28Information etc. to be marked on or to accompany telecommunication apparatus.
  53. 29Information etc. to be given in advertisements.
  54. 30Enforcement provisions.
  55. Rating of telecommunications operators
  56. 31Rating in England and Wales.
  57. 32Rating in Scotland.
  58. 33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  59. Acquisition etc. of land by public telecommunications operators
  60. 34Compulsory purchase of land in England and Wales.
  61. 35Compulsory purchase of land in Scotland.
  62. 36Compulsory purchase of land in Northern Ireland.
  63. 37Entry, for exploratory purposes, on land in England and Wales.
  64. 38Entry, for exploratory purposes, on land in Scotland.
  65. 39Entry, for exploratory purposes, on land in Northern Ireland.
  66. 40Acquisition of land by agreement.
  67. 41Purchase of Duchy of Lancaster land.
  68. Offences
  69. 42Fraudulent use of telecommunication system.
  70. 42APossession or supply of anything for fraudulent purpose in connection with use of telecommunication system.
  71. 43Improper use of public telecommunication system.
  72. 44Modification etc. of messages.
  73. 45Disclosure of messages etc.
  74. 46Assaults etc. on persons engaged in the business of public telecommunications operator.
  75. Regulations
  76. 46APowers to make regulations.
  77. Appeals
  78. 46BAppeals
  79. Part III: Other Functions of Director
  80. 47General functions.
  81. 48Publication of information and advice.
  82. 49Investigation of complaints.
  83. 50Functions under 1973 and 1980 Acts.
  84. 51Co-ordination of functions under Part II and wireless telegraphy functions.
  85. 52Power to give assistance in relation to certain proceedings.
  86. 53Power to require information etc.
  87. 54Power to establish advisory bodies. Repealed
  88. 55Annual and other reports.
  89. Part IV: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  90. 56–59. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  91. Part V: Transfer of Undertaking of British Telecommunications
  92. Vesting of property etc. of British Telecommunications in a company nominated by the Secretary of State
  93. 60Vesting of property etc. of British Telecommunications in a company nominated by the Secretary of State.
  94. 61Initial Government holding in the successor company.
  95. 62Conversion of certain loans transferred to the successor company.
  96. 63Government investment in securities of the successor company.
  97. 64Exercise of Secretary of State’s functions through nominees.
  98. 65Target investment limit for Government shareholding.
  99. 66Financial structure of the successor company.
  100. 67Temporary restrictions on successor company’s borrowings etc.
  101. 68Liability of Secretary of State in respect of liabilities vesting in successor company.
  102. 69Dissolution of British Telecommunications.
  103. Miscellaneous and supplemental
  104. 70Application of law in relation to offer of shares or debentures of the successor company.
  105. 71Application of Trustee Investments Act 1961 in relation to investment in the successor company.
  106. 72Tax provisions.
  107. 73Interpretation of Part V.
  108. Part VI
  109. Amendment and enforcement of Wireless Telegraphy Acts
  110. 74. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  111. 75Alteration of penalties and mode of trial for certain offences under the 1949 Act.
  112. 76Arrest without warrant for certain offences under the 1949 Act.
  113. 77Substitution of new section for section 7 of the 1967 Act.
  114. 78. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  115. 79Seizure of apparatus and other property used in committing certain offences under the 1949 Act.
  116. 80Proceedings in England and Wales or Northern Ireland for forfeiture of restricted apparatus. Repealed
  117. 82Amendments with respect to forfeiture on conviction.
  118. 83Disposal of apparatus and other property seized by virtue of section 79.
  119. Approvals
  120. 84Approval of wireless telegraphy apparatus etc.
  121. Marking etc. of apparatus
  122. 85Information etc. to be marked on or to accompany apparatus.
  123. 86Information etc. to be given in advertisements.
  124. 87Offences under section 85 or 86 due to default of third person.
  125. Miscellaneous and supplemental
  126. 88Wireless telegraphy functions of Director. Repealed
  127. 89Abolition of advisory committee. Repealed
  128. 90Radio interference service. Repealed
  129. 91Construction of references to conclusion of proceedings.
  130. 92Interpretation of Part VI and minor amendments.
  131. Part VII: Miscellaneous and Supplemental
  132. Miscellaneous
  133. 93Grants to promote interests of disabled persons.
  134. 94Directions in the interests of national security etc. Repealed
  135. 95Orders under the 1973 and 1980 Acts.
  136. 96Prohibitions and restrictions applying to lessees with respect to telecommunications. Repealed
  137. 97Contributions by local authorities towards provision of facilities.
  138. 98Use of certain conduits for telecommunication purposes.
  139. 99Section 99
  140. 100. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  141. Supplemental
  142. 101General restrictions on disclosure of information.
  143. 102Offences by bodies corporate.
  144. 103Summary proceedings.
  145. 104Orders and schemes.
  146. 105Financial provisions.
  147. 106General interpretation.
  148. 107Application to territorial waters and the continental shelf etc.
  149. 108Extension to the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
  150. 109Amendments, transitional provisions and repeals.
  151. 110Short title, commencement and extent.
  152. Schedule 1: Director General of Telecommunications
  153. 1Paragraph 1
  154. 2Paragraph 2
  155. 3Paragraph 3
  156. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  157. 5Paragraph 5
  158. 6Paragraph 6
  159. 7Paragraph 7
  160. 8Paragraph 8
  161. Schedule 2: The Telecommunications Code Repealed
  162. Arrangement of paragraphs Repealed
  163. Interpretation of code Repealed
  164. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  165. Agreement required to confer right to execute works et ceteralaetc. Repealed
  166. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  167. Agreement required for obstructing access et ceteralaetc. Repealed
  168. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  169. Effect of rights and compensation Repealed
  170. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  171. Power to dispense with the need for required agreement Repealed
  172. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  173. Acquisition of rights in respect of apparatus already installed Repealed
  174. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  175. Court to fix financial terms where agreement dispensed with Repealed
  176. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  177. Notices and applications by potential subscribers Repealed
  178. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  179. Street works Repealed
  180. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  181. Power to fly lines Repealed
  182. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  183. Tidal waters et ceteralaetc. Repealed
  184. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  185. Linear obstacles Repealed
  186. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  187. Arbitration in relation to linear obstacles Repealed
  188. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  189. Alteration of apparatus crossing a linear obstacle Repealed
  190. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  191. Use of certain conduits Repealed
  192. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  193. Compensation for injurious affection to neighbouring land et ceteralaetc. Repealed
  194. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  195. Objections to overhead apparatus Repealed
  196. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  197. Obligation to affix notices to overhead apparatus Repealed
  198. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  199. Tree lopping Repealed
  200. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  201. Power to require alteration of apparatus Repealed
  202. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  203. Restriction on right to require the removal of apparatus Repealed
  204. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  205. Abandonment of apparatus Repealed
  206. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  207. Undertaker’s works Repealed
  208. 23Paragraph 23 Repealed
  209. Notices under code Repealed
  210. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  211. Electronic communications networks: determination of applications to install facilities Repealed
  212. 24AParagraph 24A Repealed
  213. Appeals in Northern Ireland Repealed
  214. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  215. Application to the Crown Repealed
  216. 26Paragraph 26 Repealed
  217. Savings for and exclusion of certain remedies et ceteralaetc. Repealed
  218. 27Paragraph 27 Repealed
  219. Application of code to existing systems Repealed
  220. 28Paragraph 28 Repealed
  221. Effect of agreements concerning sharing of apparatus Repealed
  222. 29Paragraph 29 Repealed
  223. Schedule 3: Penalties and Mode of Trial under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949
  224. 1Paragraph 1
  225. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  226. 3Paragraph 3
  227. Schedule 4: Minor and Consequential Amendments
  228. Interpretation
  229. 1Paragraph 1
  230. General
  231. 2Paragraph 2
  232. Enactments relating to statutory undertakers, etc.
  233. 3Paragraph 3
  234. The Telegraph Acts 1863 and 1868
  235. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  236. The Foreign Enlistment Act 1870
  237. 5Paragraph 5
  239. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  240. The Military Tramways Act 1887
  241. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  243. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  245. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  246. The Telegraph Act 1899
  247. 10Paragraph 10
  249. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  250. The Official Secrets Act 1911
  251. 12Paragraph 12
  253. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  254. The Official Secrets Act 1920
  255. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  257. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  258. The Law of Property Act 1925
  259. 16Paragraph 16
  260. The Roads Improvement Act 1925
  261. 17Paragraph 17
  262. The Public Health Act 1925
  263. 18Paragraph 18
  264. The Bridges Act 1929
  265. 19Paragraph 19
  267. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  268. The Civil Defence Act (Northern Ireland) 1939
  269. 21Paragraph 21
  270. The Water Act 1945
  271. 22Paragraph 22
  272. The Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 1947
  273. 23Paragraph 23
  275. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  276. The Roads Act (Northern Ireland) 1948
  277. 25Paragraph 25
  278. The Special Roads Act 1949
  279. 26Paragraph 26
  280. The Coast Protection Act 1949
  281. 27Paragraph 27
  282. The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949
  283. 28Paragraph 28
  284. The Public Utilities Street Works Act 1950
  285. 29Paragraph 29
  287. 30Paragraph 30 Repealed
  288. The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1953
  289. 31Paragraph 31
  291. 32Paragraph 32 Repealed
  292. The Lough Neagh and Lower Bann Drainage and Navigation Act (Northern Ireland) 1955
  293. 33Paragraph 33
  295. 34Paragraph 34 Repealed
  296. The Housing Act 1957
  297. 35Paragraph 35
  298. The Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1958
  299. 36Paragraph 36
  300. The Local Government (Omnibus Shelters and Queue Barriers) (Scotland) Act 1958
  301. 37Paragraph 37
  302. The Opencast Coal Act 1958
  303. 38Paragraph 38
  304. The Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961
  305. 39Paragraph 39
  306. The Public Health Act 1961
  307. 40Paragraph 40
  308. The Pipe-lines Act 1962
  309. 41Paragraph 41
  310. The Water Resources Act 1963
  311. 42Paragraph 42
  312. The Harbours Act 1964
  313. 43Paragraph 43
  314. The New Towns Act (Northern Ireland) 1965
  315. 44Paragraph 44
  316. The Housing (Scotland) Act 1966
  317. 45Paragraph 45
  318. The Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967
  319. 46Paragraph 46
  320. The New Towns (Scotland) Act 1968
  321. 47Paragraph 47
  322. The Countryside Act 1968
  323. 48Paragraph 48
  324. The Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968
  325. 49Paragraph 49
  326. The Post Office Act 1969
  327. 50Paragraph 50 Repealed
  328. The Roads (Scotland) Act 1970
  329. 51Paragraph 51
  330. The Harbours Act (Northern Ireland) 1970
  331. 52Paragraph 52
  333. 53Paragraph 53 Repealed
  334. The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972
  335. 54Paragraph 54 Repealed
  336. The Electricity Supply (Northern Ireland) Order 1972
  337. 55Paragraph 55
  338. The Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1972
  339. 56Paragraph 56
  340. The Fair Trading Act 1973
  341. 57Paragraph 57 Repealed
  342. The Drainage (Northern Ireland) Order 1973
  343. 58Paragraph 58
  344. The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1973
  345. 59Paragraph 59
  346. The Consumer Credit Act 1974
  347. 60Paragraph 60
  348. The Housing (Scotland) Act 1974
  349. 61Paragraph 61
  351. 62Paragraph 62 Repealed
  352. The Scottish Development Agency Act 1975
  353. 63Paragraph 63
  355. 64Paragraph 64 Repealed
  356. The Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976
  357. 65Paragraph 65
  358. The Land Drainage Act 1976
  359. The Development of Rural Wales Act 1976
  360. 67Paragraph 67 Repealed
  361. The Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1977
  362. 68Paragraph 68 Repealed
  363. The Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977
  364. 69Paragraph 69 Repealed
  366. 70Paragraph 70 Repealed
  367. The Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979
  368. 71Paragraph 71 Repealed
  369. The Estate Agents Act 1979
  370. 72Paragraph 72 Repealed
  371. The Competition Act 1980
  372. 73Paragraph 73 Repealed
  373. The Water (Scotland) Act 1980
  374. 74Paragraph 74
  375. The Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980
  376. 75Paragraph 75
  377. The Highways Act 1980
  378. 76Paragraph 76
  379. The Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1980
  380. 77Paragraph 77 Repealed
  381. The British Telecommunications Act 1981
  382. 78Paragraph 78 Repealed
  383. The New Towns Act 1981
  384. 79Paragraph 79
  385. The Acquisition of Land Act 1981
  386. 80Paragraph 80
  387. The Broadcasting Act 1981
  388. 81Paragraph 81
  389. The Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1981
  390. 82Paragraph 82
  391. The Planning Blight (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1981
  392. 83Paragraph 83
  393. The Civil Aviation Act 1982
  394. 84Paragraph 84
  395. The Cinematograph (Amendment) Act 1982
  396. 85Paragraph 85
  397. Enactments relating to London
  398. 86Paragraph 86
  399. Enactments relating to call boxes
  400. 87Paragraph 87
  401. The London Building Acts and enactments relating to highways, etc.
  402. 88Paragraph 88
  403. General adaptations of local enactments
  404. 89Paragraph 89
  405. Saving in respect of offences under section 5
  406. 90Paragraph 90
  407. Schedule 5: General Transitional Provisions and Savings
  408. Part I: Provisions and Savings coming into force on Appointed Day
  409. 1Paragraph 1
  410. 2Paragraph 2
  411. 3Paragraph 3
  412. 4Paragraph 4
  413. 5Paragraph 5
  414. 6Paragraph 6
  415. 7Paragraph 7
  416. 8Paragraph 8
  417. 9Paragraph 9
  418. 10Paragraph 10
  419. 11Paragraph 11
  420. 12Paragraph 12
  421. 13Paragraph 13
  422. 14Paragraph 14
  423. 15Paragraph 15
  424. 16Paragraph 16
  425. 17Paragraph 17
  426. 18Paragraph 18
  427. 19Paragraph 19
  428. Part II: Provisions and Savings Coming into Force on Transfer Date
  429. 20Paragraph 20
  430. 21Paragraph 21
  431. 22Paragraph 22
  432. 23Paragraph 23
  433. 24Paragraph 24
  434. 25Paragraph 25
  435. 26Paragraph 26
  436. 27Paragraph 27
  437. 28Paragraph 28
  438. 29Paragraph 29
  439. 30Paragraph 30
  440. 31Paragraph 31
  441. 32Paragraph 32
  442. 33Paragraph 33
  443. 34Paragraph 34
  444. 35Paragraph 35
  445. 36Paragraph 36
  446. 37Paragraph 37
  447. 38Paragraph 38
  448. 39Paragraph 39
  449. 40Paragraph 40
  450. 41Paragraph 41
  451. 42Paragraph 42
  452. 43Paragraph 43
  453. 44Paragraph 44
  454. 45Paragraph 45
  455. 46Paragraph 46
  456. 47Paragraph 47
  457. 48Paragraph 48
  458. 49Paragraph 49
  459. 50Paragraph 50
  460. 51Paragraph 51
  461. Schedule 6
  462. 1Paragraph 1
  463. 2Paragraph 2
  464. 3Paragraph 3
  465. 4Paragraph 4
  466. 5Paragraph 5
  467. 6Paragraph 6
  468. 7Paragraph 7
  469. 8Paragraph 8
  470. 9Paragraph 9
  471. 10Paragraph 10
  472. 11Paragraph 11
  473. 12Paragraph 12
  474. 13Paragraph 13
  475. 14Paragraph 14
  476. Schedule 7: Repeals
  477. IRepeals Coming into Force on Appointed Day
  478. IIRepeals coming into Force on Transfer Date
  479. IIIRepeals Coming into Force on Dissolution of British Telecommunications
  480. IVWireless Telegraphy Repeals