OpenLegislation

Telecommunications Act 1984 in Northern Ireland

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. General
  230. 2Paragraph 2
  231. Enactments relating to statutory undertakers, etc.
  232. 3Paragraph 3
  233. The Telegraph Acts 1863 and 1868
  234. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  235. The Foreign Enlistment Act 1870
  236. 5Paragraph 5
  238. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  239. The Military Tramways Act 1887
  240. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  242. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  244. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  245. The Telegraph Act 1899
  246. 10Paragraph 10
  248. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  249. The Official Secrets Act 1911
  250. 12Paragraph 12
  252. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  253. The Official Secrets Act 1920
  254. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  256. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  257. The Law of Property Act 1925
  258. 16Paragraph 16
  259. The Roads Improvement Act 1925
  260. 17Paragraph 17
  261. The Public Health Act 1925
  262. 18Paragraph 18
  263. The Bridges Act 1929
  264. 19Paragraph 19
  266. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  267. The Civil Defence Act (Northern Ireland) 1939
  268. 21Paragraph 21
  269. The Water Act 1945
  270. 22Paragraph 22
  271. The Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 1947
  272. 23Paragraph 23
  274. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  275. The Roads Act (Northern Ireland) 1948
  276. 25Paragraph 25
  277. The Special Roads Act 1949
  278. 26Paragraph 26
  279. The Coast Protection Act 1949
  280. 27Paragraph 27
  281. The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949
  282. 28Paragraph 28
  283. The Public Utilities Street Works Act 1950
  284. 29Paragraph 29
  286. 30Paragraph 30 Repealed
  287. The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1953
  288. 31Paragraph 31
  290. 32Paragraph 32 Repealed
  291. The Lough Neagh and Lower Bann Drainage and Navigation Act (Northern Ireland) 1955
  292. 33Paragraph 33
  294. 34Paragraph 34 Repealed
  295. The Housing Act 1957
  296. 35Paragraph 35
  297. The Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1958
  298. 36Paragraph 36
  299. The Local Government (Omnibus Shelters and Queue Barriers) (Scotland) Act 1958
  300. 37Paragraph 37
  301. The Opencast Coal Act 1958
  302. 38Paragraph 38
  303. The Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961
  304. 39Paragraph 39
  305. The Public Health Act 1961
  306. 40Paragraph 40
  307. The Pipe-lines Act 1962
  308. 41Paragraph 41
  309. The Water Resources Act 1963
  310. 42Paragraph 42
  311. The Harbours Act 1964
  312. 43Paragraph 43
  313. The New Towns Act (Northern Ireland) 1965
  314. 44Paragraph 44
  315. The Housing (Scotland) Act 1966
  316. 45Paragraph 45
  317. The Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967
  318. 46Paragraph 46
  319. The New Towns (Scotland) Act 1968
  320. 47Paragraph 47
  321. The Countryside Act 1968
  322. 48Paragraph 48
  323. The Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968
  324. 49Paragraph 49
  325. The Post Office Act 1969
  326. 50Paragraph 50 Repealed
  327. The Roads (Scotland) Act 1970
  328. 51Paragraph 51
  329. The Harbours Act (Northern Ireland) 1970
  330. 52Paragraph 52
  332. 53Paragraph 53 Repealed
  333. The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972
  334. 54Paragraph 54 Repealed
  335. The Electricity Supply (Northern Ireland) Order 1972
  336. 55Paragraph 55
  337. The Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1972
  338. The Fair Trading Act 1973
  339. 57Paragraph 57 Repealed
  340. The Drainage (Northern Ireland) Order 1973
  341. 58Paragraph 58
  342. The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1973
  343. 59Paragraph 59
  344. The Consumer Credit Act 1974
  345. 60Paragraph 60
  346. The Housing (Scotland) Act 1974
  347. 61Paragraph 61
  349. 62Paragraph 62 Repealed
  350. The Scottish Development Agency Act 1975
  351. 63Paragraph 63
  353. 64Paragraph 64 Repealed
  354. The Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976
  355. 65Paragraph 65
  356. The Land Drainage Act 1976
  357. 66Paragraph 66
  358. The Development of Rural Wales Act 1976
  359. 67Paragraph 67 Repealed
  360. The Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1977
  361. 68Paragraph 68 Repealed
  362. The Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977
  363. 69Paragraph 69 Repealed
  364. 70Paragraph 70 Repealed
  365. The Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979
  366. 71Paragraph 71 Repealed
  367. The Estate Agents Act 1979
  368. 72Paragraph 72 Repealed
  369. The Competition Act 1980
  370. 73Paragraph 73 Repealed
  371. The Water (Scotland) Act 1980
  372. 74Paragraph 74
  373. The Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980
  374. 75Paragraph 75
  375. The Highways Act 1980
  376. 76Paragraph 76
  377. The Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1980
  378. 77Paragraph 77 Repealed
  379. The British Telecommunications Act 1981
  380. 78Paragraph 78 Repealed
  381. The New Towns Act 1981
  382. 79Paragraph 79
  383. The Acquisition of Land Act 1981
  384. 80Paragraph 80
  385. The Broadcasting Act 1981
  386. 81Paragraph 81
  387. The Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1981
  388. 82Paragraph 82
  389. The Planning Blight (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1981
  390. 83Paragraph 83
  391. The Civil Aviation Act 1982
  392. 84Paragraph 84
  393. The Cinematograph (Amendment) Act 1982
  394. 85Paragraph 85
  395. Enactments relating to London
  396. 86Paragraph 86
  397. Enactments relating to call boxes
  398. 87Paragraph 87
  399. The London Building Acts and enactments relating to highways, etc.
  400. 88Paragraph 88
  401. General adaptations of local enactments
  402. 89Paragraph 89
  403. Saving in respect of offences under section 5
  404. 90Paragraph 90
  405. Schedule 5: General Transitional Provisions and Savings
  406. Part I: Provisions and Savings coming into force on Appointed Day
  407. 1Paragraph 1
  408. 2Paragraph 2
  409. 3Paragraph 3
  410. 4Paragraph 4
  411. 5Paragraph 5
  412. 6Paragraph 6
  413. 7Paragraph 7
  414. 8Paragraph 8
  415. 9Paragraph 9
  416. 10Paragraph 10
  417. 11Paragraph 11
  418. 12Paragraph 12
  419. 13Paragraph 13
  420. 14Paragraph 14
  421. 15Paragraph 15
  422. 16Paragraph 16
  423. 17Paragraph 17
  424. 18Paragraph 18
  425. 19Paragraph 19
  426. Part II: Provisions and Savings Coming into Force on Transfer Date
  427. 20Paragraph 20
  428. 21Paragraph 21
  429. 22Paragraph 22
  430. 23Paragraph 23
  431. 24Paragraph 24
  432. 25Paragraph 25
  433. 26Paragraph 26
  434. 27Paragraph 27
  435. 28Paragraph 28
  436. 29Paragraph 29
  437. 30Paragraph 30
  438. 31Paragraph 31
  439. 32Paragraph 32
  440. 33Paragraph 33
  441. 34Paragraph 34
  442. 35Paragraph 35
  443. 36Paragraph 36
  444. 37Paragraph 37
  445. 38Paragraph 38
  446. 39Paragraph 39
  447. 40Paragraph 40
  448. 41Paragraph 41
  449. 42Paragraph 42
  450. 43Paragraph 43
  451. 44Paragraph 44
  452. 45Paragraph 45
  453. 46Paragraph 46
  454. 47Paragraph 47
  455. 48Paragraph 48
  456. 49Paragraph 49
  457. 50Paragraph 50
  458. 51Paragraph 51
  459. Schedule 6
  460. 1Paragraph 1
  461. 2Paragraph 2
  462. 3Paragraph 3
  463. 4Paragraph 4
  464. 5Paragraph 5
  465. 6Paragraph 6
  466. 7Paragraph 7
  467. 8Paragraph 8
  468. 9Paragraph 9
  469. 10Paragraph 10
  470. 11Paragraph 11
  471. 12Paragraph 12
  472. 13Paragraph 13
  473. 14Paragraph 14
  474. Schedule 7: Repeals
  475. IRepeals Coming into Force on Appointed Day
  476. IIRepeals coming into Force on Transfer Date
  477. IIIRepeals Coming into Force on Dissolution of British Telecommunications
  478. IVWireless Telegraphy Repeals