Law

Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006

United Kingdom · statute

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In force since 2026-04-06, as the publisher states.

Copy read on 2026-11-08. The page it was read from

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.

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Contents: 162 provisions
  1. Title and introductory text
  2. 1 General functions
  3. 2 United Kingdom Plan for Frequency Authorisation
  4. 3 Duties of OFCOM when carrying out functions
  5. 4 Advisory service in relation to interference
  6. 5 Directions of Secretary of State
  7. 6 Procedure for directions
  8. 7 Special duty in relation to television multiplexes
  9. 8 Licences and exemptions
  10. 8A Review of long licences
  11. 8B Restriction on grant of exclusive licence
  12. 8C Consultation before grant of exclusive licence
  13. 9 Terms, provisions and limitations
  14. 9ZA Restrictions on imposition of limitations etc under section 9
  15. 9ZB Review of pre-26 May 2011 limitations etc.
  16. 9A Notice to satellite uplinkers
  17. 10 Procedure
  18. 11 Surrender of licence
  19. 12 Charges for grant of licence
  20. 13 Matters taken into account
  21. 14 Bidding for licences
  22. 15 Recovery
  23. 16 Regulations
  24. 17 Sections 12 to 16: interpretation
  25. 18 Grant of recognised spectrum access
  26. 19 Procedure
  27. 20 Effect of grant of recognised spectrum access
  28. 21 Charges for grant of recognised spectrum access
  29. 22 Matters taken into account
  30. 23 Bidding for grants
  31. 24 Recovery
  32. 25 Regulations
  33. 26 Sections 21 to 25: interpretation
  34. 27 Conversion into and from wireless telegraphy licences
  35. 28 Payments by the Crown
  36. 29 Limitations on authorised spectrum use
  37. 30 Spectrum trading
  38. 30A General duty of OFCOM to allow leasing or transfer
  39. 31 Wireless telegraphy register
  40. 32 Statistical information
  41. 32A Information required for purposes of radio spectrum functions
  42. 32B Restrictions on imposing information requirements
  43. 32C Notification of contravention of information requirements
  44. 32D Penalties for contravention of information requirements
  45. 32E Enforcement of notification under section 32C
  46. 33 Failure to provide information etc
  47. 34 Statement of policy
  48. 35 Unauthorised use etc of wireless telegraphy station or apparatus
  49. 36 Keeping available for unauthorised use
  50. 37 Allowing premises to be used for unlawful broadcasting
  51. 38 Facilitating unauthorised broadcasting
  52. 39 Contravention of terms, etc
  53. 40 Repeated contravention
  54. 41 Procedure for prosecutions
  55. 42 Special procedure for contraventions by holders of wireless telegraphy licences
  56. 43 Amount of penalty under section 42
  57. 43A Special procedure for contraventions of certain provisions
  58. 44 Relevant amount of gross revenue
  59. 45 Regulations
  60. 46 Offences
  61. 47 Misleading messages
  62. 48 Interception and disclosure of messages
  63. 49 Interception authorities
  64. 50 Apparatus on foreign-registered ships etc
  65. 51 Apparatus in vehicles
  66. 52 Wireless personnel
  67. 53 Surrender of authority
  68. 53A Registration of providers of dynamic spectrum access services
  69. 53B Revocation and variation of registration
  70. 53C Register of providers of dynamic spectrum access services
  71. 53D Fees for registration etc
  72. 53E Notification of contravention of registration restrictions or conditions
  73. 53F Penalties under section 53E
  74. 53G Enforcement of notification under section 53E
  75. 53H Meaning of “relevant amount of gross revenue”
  76. 53I Requirement to provide information about gross revenue
  77. 53J Provision of information to persons registered under section 53A
  78. 53K Notification of contravention of information requirements
  79. 53L Penalties under section 53K
  80. 53M Enforcement of notification under section 53K
  81. 54 Regulations about use and sale etc of apparatus
  82. 55 Enforcement: use of apparatus
  83. 56 Enforcement: sale etc of apparatus
  84. 57 Appeal against notice under section 55 or 56 etc
  85. 58 Contravening notice under section 55 or 56
  86. 59 Entry and search of premises etc
  87. 60 Obstruction and failure to assist
  88. 61 Sections 54 to 60: interpretation
  89. 62 Restriction orders
  90. 63 Authorities
  91. 64 Compatibility with international obligations
  92. 65 Powers of Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs
  93. 66 Offences
  94. 67 Restriction orders: interpretation
  95. 68 Deliberate interference
  96. 69 Approval of apparatus
  97. 70 Approvals: supplementary
  98. 71 The relevant authority
  99. 72 Information etc on or with apparatus
  100. 73 Information etc in advertisements
  101. 74 Offences
  102. 75 Default of third person
  103. 76 Part 4: interpretation
  104. 77 Broadcasting from ships and aircraft
  105. 78 Broadcasting from marine structures etc
  106. 79 Broadcasting from prescribed areas of high seas
  107. 80 Acts connected with broadcasting
  108. 81 Management of station
  109. 82 Facilitating broadcasting from ships or aircraft
  110. 83 Facilitating broadcasting from structures etc
  111. 84 Maintaining or repairing apparatus
  112. 85 Acts relating to broadcast material
  113. 86 Facilitation offences: territorial scope
  114. 87 Procuring person to commit offence abroad
  115. 88 Enforcement officers
  116. 89 Enforcement powers
  117. 90 Enforcement powers: facilitation offences
  118. 91 Exercise of powers
  119. 92 Further provisions
  120. 93 Penalties and proceedings
  121. 94 Saving for certain broadcasts
  122. 95 Part 5: interpretation
  123. 96 Fixed penalties for summary offences
  124. 97 Powers of entry and search
  125. 98 Obstruction and failure to assist
  126. 99 Powers of seizure
  127. 100 Obstruction
  128. 101 Detention and disposal of property
  129. 102 Section 101: conclusion of proceedings
  130. 103 Forfeiture on conviction
  131. 104 Forfeiture etc of restricted apparatus
  132. 105 Offences relating to ships or aircraft
  133. 106 Continuing offences
  134. 107 Proceedings and enforcement
  135. 108 Civil proceedings
  136. 109 Fines in Scotland
  137. 110 Criminal liability of company directors etc
  138. 111 General restrictions
  139. 112 Service of documents
  140. 113 Documents in electronic form
  141. 114 Timing and location of things done electronically
  142. 115 General interpretation
  143. 116 “Wireless telegraphy”
  144. 117 “Wireless telegraphy apparatus” and “wireless telegraphy station”
  145. 118 Extent
  146. 119 Territorial application
  147. 120 Territorial sea and other waters
  148. 121 Orders and regulations made by Secretary of State
  149. 122 Orders and regulations made by OFCOM
  150. 123 Consequential amendments
  151. 124 Transitional provisions, savings and transitory modifications
  152. 125 Repeals and revocations
  153. 126 Short title and commencement
  154. SCHEDULE 1 Procedure for wireless telegraphy licences
  155. SCHEDULE 2 Procedure for grants of recognised spectrum access
  156. SCHEDULE 3 Suspension and revocation of authorities issued to wireless personnel
  157. SCHEDULE 4 Fixed penalties
  158. SCHEDULE 5 Forfeiture on conviction
  159. SCHEDULE 6 Seizure and forfeiture of restricted apparatus
  160. SCHEDULE 7 Consequential amendments
  161. SCHEDULE 8 Transitional provisions, savings and transitory modifications
  162. SCHEDULE 9 Repeals and revocations

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162 provisions

SCHEDULE 8 Transitional provisions, savings and transitory modifications

Section 124 Part 1 Transitional provisions and savings General provisions 1 The substitution of provisions of this Act for provisions repealed or revoked by it does not affect the continuity of the law. 2 Anything done, or having effect as if done, under or for the purposes of a provision repealed by this Act (including subordinate legislation so made or having effect as if so made), and in force or effective immediately before the commencement of this Act, has effect after that commencement as if done under or for the purposes of the corresponding provision of this Act. 3 A reference (express or implied) in this Act or another enactment, or in an instrument or document, to a provision of this Act is (so far as the context permits) to be read as (according to the context) being or including a reference to the corresponding provision repealed by this Act, in relation to times, circumstances or purposes in relation to which the repealed provision had effect. 4 (1) A reference (express or implied) in an enactment, or in an instrument or document, to a provision repealed by this Act is (so far as the context permits) to be read as (according to the context) being or including a reference to the corresponding provision of this Act, in relation to times, circumstances and purposes in relation to which that corresponding provision has effect. (2) In particular, where a power conferred by an Act is expressed to be exercisable in relation to enactments contained in Acts passed before or in the same Session as the Act conferring the power, the power is also exercisable in relation to provisions of this Act that reproduce such enactments. 5 Paragraphs 1 to 4 have effect in place of section 17(2) of the Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30) (but do not affect the application of any other provision of that Act). 6 Paragraphs 2 and 4(1) do not apply to an Order in Council to which paragraph 24(1) applies. General rule for old savings 7 (1) The repeal by this Act of an enactment previously repealed subject to savings does not affect the continued operation of those savings. (2) The repeal by this Act of a saving on the previous repeal of an enactment does not affect the saving in so far as it remains capable of having effect. Use of existing forms etc 8 A reference to an enactment repealed by this Act which is contained in a document made, served or issued on or after the commencement of that repeal is to be read, except so far as a contrary intention appears, as referring or, as the context may require, including a reference to the corresponding provision of this Act. Regulatory Reform Act 2001 (c. 6) 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contracted-out functions under section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 10 An order under Part 2 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 (c. 40) which is in force immediately before the commencement of this Act and, by virtue of paragraph 6 of Schedule 18 to the Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), has effect as if made by virtue of section 1(7) of that Act shall, so long as the order remains in force, continue to have that effect by virtue of this paragraph. Wireless telegraphy licences granted before 18th June 1998 11 (1) This paragraph has effect in relation to wireless telegraphy licences granted before 18th June 1998 (the date on which section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998 (c. 6) came into force). (2) Where this paragraph has effect, section 12 is the provision of this Act which, for the purposes of paragraph 4(1) of this Schedule, corresponds to section 2(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (c. 54). Procedures treated as prescribed by regulations made by OFCOM 12 (1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies where, immediately before the commencement of this Act, procedures have effect, by virtue of paragraph 20(2) or 21(2) of Schedule 18 to the Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), as if prescribed by OFCOM by regulations under— (a) section 1D(3) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, or (b) section 3 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998. (2) In relation to times after the commencement of this Act, the procedures are to have effect as if prescribed by OFCOM by regulations under— (a) paragraph 1 of Schedule 1, or (b) section 14. (3) A notice under— (a) section 1D of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, or (b) regulations under section 3 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998, which is in force immediately before the commencement of this Act and, by virtue of paragraph 20 or 21 of Schedule 18, has effect as if it authorised or required a thing to be done by or in relation to OFCOM shall, so long as it remains in force, continue to have that effect by virtue of this paragraph. Tribunal established under section 9 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 13 The repeal by this Act of sections 11 and 12 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 does not affect the continued operation of section 11 or 12 (without the amendments made in those sections by section 178 of the Communications Act 2003) in relation to a notice under section 11(1) or (2) or section 12(1) that is served before 25th July 2003. References to Postmaster General etc 14 The repeal by this Act of part of section 3(1)(ii) of the Post Office Act 1969 (c. 48) is not to affect the continued operation of section 3(1)(ii) in relation to a provision of regulations or a licence where the regulations were made or the licence was granted under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 before 1st October 1969 (the day on which functions of the Postmaster General were transferred to the Minister). Procedure for prosecutions 15 (1) This paragraph has effect in relation to prosecutions to which section 41 of this Act applies. (2) The restrictions on the bringing of proceedings which are imposed by section 41(2) and (3) do not have effect in relation to proceedings started before 25th July 2003 (the date on which section 174 of the Communications Act 2003 (c. 21) came into force). Penalties for certain offences triable either way 16 In relation to an offence committed before 2 May 2022, the references in the following provisions to periods of imprisonment of the general limit in a magistrates’ court are to be read as references to periods of imprisonment of six months— (a) section 35(2); (b) section 36(2); (c) section 37(2); (d) section 38(6); (e) section 47(4); (f) section 68(3); (g) section 93(1). Penalties for offences: unauthorised use of wireless telegraphy station etc 17 In relation to an offence committed before 18th September 2003 (the date on which section 179 of the Communications Act 2003 came into force), each of sections 35(5) and 36(5) is to have effect as if for the words from “is liable” to the end there were substituted is liable— (a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both; (b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or to both. 18 In relation to an offence committed on or after 18th September 2003 but before the commencement of section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, the references in the following provisions to periods of imprisonment of 51 weeks are to be read as references to periods of imprisonment of six months— (a) section 35(5); (b) section 36(5). Penalties for offences: contravening notice under section 55 or 56 19 In relation to an offence committed before the commencement of section 280 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, section 58(2) has effect as if in paragraph (a) for the words “to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale” there were substituted “to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to both”. Fixed penalties for wireless telegraphy offences 20 Schedule 4 to this Act does not apply to offences committed before the day which is the relevant commencement date for the purposes of paragraph 27 of this Schedule. Powers of seizure 21 In relation to an offence committed before 18th September 2003 (the date on which section 179 of the Communications Act 2003 (c. 21) came into force), section 99(1) of this Act has effect with the omission of paragraph (c). Forfeiture etc of restricted apparatus 22 Nothing in section 104 of, and Schedule 6 to, this Act applies in relation to apparatus seized before 29th December 2003 (the date on which section 182 of the Communications Act 2003 came into force). Appeals of wireless telegraphy decisions 23 The repeals made by this Act do not affect the continued operation of paragraph 23(2) of Schedule 18 to the Communications Act 2003 as regards decisions against which an appeal could have been brought under section 1F of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (c. 54). Orders in Council: section 118 24 (1) An Order in Council made under a provision that is repealed by this Act and re-enacted in section 118(3) continues to have effect despite the repeal of that provision. (2) An Order in Council made under section 118(3) may amend or revoke an Order in Council continued in effect by sub-paragraph (1). Orders in Council: continental shelf 25 (1) This paragraph applies in the case of an Order in Council which, as a result of paragraph 63 of Schedule 18 to the Communications Act 2003 (provision relating to Orders in Council under section 6 of the Continental Shelf Act 1964 (c. 29)), has effect, immediately before the commencement of this Act, as if made under section 410 of the Communications Act 2003. (2) An Order in Council to which this paragraph applies is to have effect, after the commencement of this Act, as an Order in Council made in exercise of the powers conferred by section 120. Part 2 Transitory modifications Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26) 26 (1) This paragraph applies if paragraph 25 of Schedule 7 to the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 has not come into force before the commencement of this Act. (2) Until the relevant commencement date, section 93(4)(b) has effect as if for “the Advocate General for Northern Ireland” there were substituted “ the Attorney General for Northern Ireland ”. (3) The relevant commencement date is— (a) if an order has been made before the commencement of this Act appointing a day after that commencement as the day for the coming into force of paragraph 25 of Schedule 7 to the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), the day so appointed; (b) otherwise, such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint. Communications Act 2003 (c. 21) 27 (1) This paragraph applies if— (a) section 180 of the Communications Act 2003, and (b) Schedule 6 to that Act, have not come into force before the commencement of this Act. (2) Until the relevant commencement date, this Act has effect with the omission of— (a) section 96, and (b) Schedule 4. (3) The relevant commencement date is— (a) if an order has been made before the commencement of this Act appointing a day after that commencement as the day for the coming into force of the provisions mentioned in sub-paragraph (1), the day so appointed; (b) otherwise, such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint. Power to make transitional provision 28 Section 121(3) of this Act does not apply to an order made by the Secretary of State under paragraph 26 or 27, but— (a) an order under paragraph 26 may make such provision as may be made by an order under section 89(1) of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 in connection with the coming into force of a provision of that Act, and (b) an order under paragraph 27 may make such provision as, by virtue of section 411(4) of the Communications Act 2003, is authorised to be made by an order under section 411(2) of that Act. Saving for old transitional provisions 29 (1) This paragraph applies to any transitional or transitory provision or saving (“the transitional provision”) made in connection with the coming into force of any provision of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 or the Communications Act 2003 mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 26 or 27 (“the old enactment”). (2) If the old enactment is in force before the commencement of the provision of this Act reproducing its effect (“the corresponding provision of this Act”), the transitional provision is to continue to have effect (so far as capable of doing so) in relation to the corresponding provision of this Act. (3) Sub-paragraph (4) applies if— (a) sub-paragraph (2) does not apply, but (b) before the commencement of this Act an order has been made appointing a day for the coming into force of the old enactment. (4) The transitional provision is to have effect from the date so appointed in relation to the corresponding provision of this Act.

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SCHEDULE 9 Repeals and revocations

Section 125 Part 1 Repeals Short title and chapter | Extent of repeal Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (c. 54) | The whole Act. Marine, &c., Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967 (c. 41) | The whole Act. Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967 (c. 72) | Sections 7 to 12. In section 13(4) the words from “, and” to the end. In section 15— subsections (2) and (3), and in subsection (6) the words “, except for section 7 of this Act,”. Post Office Act 1969 (c. 48) | In section 3— in subsection (1)(a) the words from the beginning to “day and”, in subsection (1)(ii) the words “, rules or a licence” and “the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 or”, and subsection (6). British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61) | In Schedule 7, the paragraph relating to the Marine, &c., Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967. Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48) | Section 50. In section 81— in subsection (5) the entry relating to section 50, and subsection (12)(c)(v). Telecommunications Act 1984 (c. 12) | Part 6. In section 101— in subsection (1)(a) the words “(except Part 6)”, in subsection (2)(a) the words “(except functions assigned by or under Part 6)”, and in subsection (3)(q) the words from “(excluding” to the end. Section 104(1B) and (1C). Consumer Protection Act 1987 (c. 43) | In Schedule 4, paragraph 9(1). Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (c. 48) | In Schedule 7, paragraph 9. Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29) | In Schedule 16, paragraph 6. Broadcasting Act 1990 (c. 42) | Sections 168 to 174. Section 180(1). Schedule 16. In Schedule 18, in Part 1, paragraphs 1 and 3. Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (c. 22) | In Schedule 3, paragraph 3. Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (c. 21) | In Schedule 13, paragraph 24. Criminal Procedure (Consequential Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 40) | In Schedule 4, paragraph 48. Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998 (c. 6) | The whole Act. Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6) | In Schedule 9, paragraph 92. Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (c. 23) | Section 73. Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26) | In Schedule 7, paragraph 25. Communications Act 2003 (c. 21) | Sections 152 to 184. In section 393— subsection (1)(b), and subsection (5)(a), (b) and (l). Section 394(2)(c). Section 402(2)(b). Section 404(4)(b) and (c) and (5). In section 407(1)— paragraph (a), and in paragraph (c) the words “(a) or”. In Schedule 1, paragraphs 1 and 2. Schedules 5 to 7. In Schedule 8, paragraphs 13 to 36. In Schedule 17— paragraphs 6 to 18, paragraphs 32 to 38, paragraphs 64 to 69, paragraph 72(2), and paragraphs 145 to 151. In Schedule 18— paragraph 6, paragraphs 20 and 21, in paragraph 23, sub-paragraph (1)(c)(i), in sub-paragraph (2) the words “(or that Act of 1949)” and in sub-paragraph (3) the words “section 1F of that Act of 1949 or”, paragraph 55, and paragraph 63. In Schedule 19, Notes 1 and 3. Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44) | In Schedule 25, paragraph 29. Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15) | In Schedule 16, paragraph 3. Part 2 Revocations Title and number | Extent of revocation Transfer of Functions (Local Government, etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1973 (S.R. & O. (N.I.) 1973/256) | In Schedule 1, the entry relating to the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. In Schedule 2, the entry relating to the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 (S.I. 1986/948) | In Schedule 1, the paragraph relating to the Marine, &c., Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967. Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12)) | In Article 26(2), the sub-paragraph (j) relating to section 14(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 (S.I. 1994/2795 (N.I. 15)) | In Schedule 2, paragraph 10. Deregulation (Wireless Telegraphy) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/1864) | Article 3. Telecommunications (Licensing) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/2930) | Regulation 4. Transfer of Functions (Lord Advocate and Advocate General for Scotland) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/679) | In the Schedule, the entry relating to section 14(7) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. Telecommunications (Appeals) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/3180) | Regulation 4. Courts Act 2003 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/886) | In the Schedule, paragraph 95. Wireless Telegraphy (Pre-Consolidation Amendments) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1391) | The whole Order.

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