Telecommunications Act 1984 — United Kingdom law | Esheria

Telecommunications Act 1984

This provision sets up the telecommunications regulator, creates licensing powers and duties, defines key telecom terms, and makes unlicensed system operation an offence.

AI-assisted research synopsis — verify against the official legal text below.

Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Instrument
Act or statute
Version
Undated source snapshot
Language
en
Official source
View official record ↗
advertising apparatus relocation apparatus supply billing disputes commencement and repeal history competition complaints consumer information customer deposits financial statements government shareholding grants information disclosure land acquisition licence enforcement licensing network operation offences offences and penalties public authority works public infrastructure regulatory change tracking regulatory enforcement regulatory history +16 more

Statute overview

About this statute

This provision sets up the telecommunications regulator, creates licensing powers and duties, defines key telecom terms, and makes unlicensed system operation an offence. The Director can refer telecommunication matters to the Competition Commission, vary the reference, and must publish and share copies of it. The Secretary of State can block the reference or variation within 14 days only on national security or external relations grounds. This provision sets telecom service rules, complaint handling, enforcement powers, and several offences relating to apparatus, messages, disclosure, and obstruction. This provision lets the Director require documents or business information by written notice, with limits on compelled disclosure, and it sets offences, fines, forfeiture, and several government powers and duties around the successor company and wireless telegraphy controls. OFCOM may require relevant apparatus to carry information or instructions, and can restrict non-compliant supply and advertising. Breaches can be offences with fines, and there are separate rules on disclosure of information, grants, and conduit-related powers.