---
title: "The Broadcasting Act 1990 (Independent Radio Services Exception) Order 2026"
id: 5e088809-1dea-4f6c-bd88-1e471e3de52a
authority: uk
place: "United Kingdom"
applies_also_from: []
kind: regulation
in_force: true
publisher_url: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/300
attribution: "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
solon_url: https://solon.orangecat.ch/law/5e088809-1dea-4f6c-bd88-1e471e3de52a
language: en
in_force_from: 2026-05-01
date_basis: publisher
status: consolidated
source_url: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/300/data.xml
read_on: 2026-11-10
sha256: a9f58c305bfe76669ffc6fe30b96806410b75d49c9830751eb37e93cc66d7fd2
provisions: 5
---

# The Broadcasting Act 1990 (Independent Radio Services Exception) Order 2026

## Title and introductory text {#prelims}

2026 No. 300
BROADCASTING
The Broadcasting Act 1990 (Independent Radio Services Exception) Order 2026
Made
16th March 2026
Laid before Parliament
17th March 2026
Coming into force
1st May 2026
The Secretary of State makes this Order in exercise of the powers conferred by section 97(2) of the Broadcasting Act 1990.
In accordance with that section, the Secretary of State has consulted OFCOM.

## 1 Citation, commencement and extent {#article-1}

(1) This Order may be cited as the Broadcasting Act 1990 (Independent Radio Services Exception) Order 2026.
(2) This Order comes into force on 1st May 2026.
(3) This Order extends to the United Kingdom.

## 2 Interpretation {#article-2}

In this Order—
“AM broadcasting frequency” means a frequency that falls within the frequency band 526.5 kilohertz to 1.6065 megahertz;
“FM broadcasting frequency” means a frequency that falls within the frequency band 87.5 to 108 megahertz;
“restricted service” has the meaning given by section 245(4)(c) of the Communications Act 2003;
“wireless telegraphy apparatus” has the meaning given by section 117(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006.

## 3 Excepted radio services {#article-3}

(1) Section 97(1) of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (prohibition on providing independent radio services without a licence) does not apply to any service of the description specified in paragraph (2).
(2) The service is—
(a) a restricted service, and
(b) transmitted on—
(i) a frequency other than an AM or FM broadcasting frequency using wireless telegraphy apparatus, or
(ii) an FM broadcasting frequency using wireless telegraphy apparatus which emits electromagnetic energy having an effective radiated power not exceeding 50 nanowatts.

## 4 Revocations {#article-4}

The following enactments are revoked—
(a) the Broadcasting Act 1990 (Independent Radio Services: Exceptions) Order 1990;
(b) the Broadcasting Act 1990 (Independent Radio Services Exceptions) Order 2007.