What is 151 of the Communications Act 2003?
Asked by: Dr. Quentin Bins Jr. | Last update: April 25, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (36 votes)
Section 151 of the UK's Communications Act 2003 provides key definitions, primarily defining a "public electronic communications service" as one available for public use (like internet or phone plans) and a "public electronic communications network" as a network mostly for making those services available to the public, crucial for regulating providers and ensuring network access. It distinguishes these from content services and forms the basis for defining who a "public communications provider" is for regulatory purposes.
What is Section 151 of the Communications Act 2003?
A 'public electronic communications network' is defined in section 151 of the Communications Act 2003 as: “an electronic communications network provided wholly or mainly for the purpose of making electronic communications services available to members of the public”.
What are the main points of the Communications Act 2003?
Communications Act 2003: The highlights
- Ofcom. Ofcom is the new unified regulator for media, telecommunications and radio communications. ...
- Authorisation regime. ...
- Licence conditions. ...
- Spectrum licensing and trading. ...
- Electronic Communications Code. ...
- Media ownership reform. ...
- Broadcasting licences. ...
- Public service remit.
What was the purpose of the communications Act?
The Communications Act of 1934 combined and organized federal regulation of telephone, telegraph, and radio communications. The Act created the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to oversee and regulate these industries.
What does the communications Act of 2003 criminalize?
Section 127 (1) of the act makes it an offence to send a message that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character over a public electronic communications network. The section replaced section 43 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 and is drafted as widely as its predecessor.
Global reflection on the listing mechanisms of the 2003 Convention - Part I
What are the Offences under the Communications Act 2003?
the summary offences under section 127(1) CA 2003 (sending via a public communications network a message which is grossly offensive, indecent, obscene, or menacing); and, under section 127(2)(c) CA 2003, of persistently making inappropriate use of a public communications network.
What is an example of unlawful use of a two-way communication device?
Given that the facilitation or furtherance of any felony using a two-way communications device is a crime, there are countless examples of how this offense may be committed. Some of these may include: Using a cell phone to arrange a drug sale with a dealer. Coordinating a burglary using text messages.
What is the Federal communication Act?
AN ACT To provide for the regulation of interstate and foreign communication by wire or radio, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America. in Congress assembled, TITLE I--GENERAL PROVISIONS.
What is Section 705 of the Communications Act?
Section 705 of the Communications Act provides that:
No person not being authorized by the sender shall intercept any radio communication and divulge or publish the existence, contents, substance, purport, effect, or meaning of such intercepted communication to any person. 47 U.S.C. § 605(a).
What is Section 706 of the Communications Act?
“Necessary for the national defense and security”: Section 706 of the Communications Act. Though little used and largely forgotten, Section 706 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”) accords the President a series of nebulous “war powers” over communications by wire and radio.
Can I sue for malicious communication?
Under Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003, a person is also guilty of an offence if the purpose of their communication is to cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another. Malicious communications can include: Making hoax calls.
What are the 5 major purposes of communication?
Purposes. Communication serves five major purposes: to inform, to express feelings, to imagine, to influence, and to meet social expectations. Each of these purposes is reflected in a form of communication.
What are the powers of ComReg?
ComReg has surveillance and enforcement responsibilities in relation to radio equipment regulation, and regulation of devices relating to electromagnetic compatibility. These include: Ensuring compliance by operators with obligations. Promoting competition.
What are some examples of section 151 usage?
Practical Examples of Use of Section 151 CPC
- Staying proceedings to prevent parallel litigation.
- Recalling an order passed without giving an opportunity of hearing.
- Correcting clerical or procedural errors where Section 152 is not applicable.
- Preventing abuse of process through repeated and vexatious applications.
Can a suit be dismissed under section 151 CPC?
Present application has been filed U/s 151 CPC, whereby this court has been asked to exercise the inherent powers in order to dismiss the suit. At the outset, it is observed that the power U/s 151 CPC can be invoked in rare cases in order to meet the ends of justice or to prevent abuse of the process of court.
What is the Communications Act 2003 summary?
The Communications Act 2003: the main legislation dealing with broadcast media in the United Kingdom, giving rise to ofcom and containing a number of controversial new offences in relation to misuse of public electronic communications networks that have been used amongst others to prosecute users of social media ...
Is listening to police scanners legal?
Are police scanners legal in California? Yes—California imposes no mobile ban. But Pen. Code § 636 criminalizes using a scanner to further wiretapping or crime.
What is Section 225 of the Communications Act?
Section 225 (Relay Services)
Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 mandated a nationwide system of telecommunications relay services to make the telephone network accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have speech impairments.
What does section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 cover?
1 Section 127(1) of the Communications Act 2003 criminalises the sending of a message, or other matter, by means of a public electronic communications network, that is grossly offensive, or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character. It is also an offence to cause any such message or matter to be sent.
What is Section 312 of the Communications Act?
Section 312(a)(7) of the Communications Act of 1934 requires that broadcast stations provide legally qualified candidates for federal elective office with reasonable access to advertising time on behalf of their candidacies.
What is Section 716 of the Communications Act?
Section 716 requires providers of advanced communications services and manufacturers of equipment used for advanced communications services to make their services and equipment accessible to people with disabilities, unless it is not achievable to do so.
What media can the FCC not regulate?
The FCC, created in 1934, was originally tasked with authorising then-scarce radio – and later TV – broadcasting frequencies. It holds the most authority over local TV and radio stations, but it does not generally regulate cable or satellite TV channels or online content, according to its website.
What is considered unlawful communication?
Spoken or written words tending to intimidate, menace, or harm others. The guarantee of freedom of speech in the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution is not absolute. Many state and federal criminal laws prohibit persons from making threats and other unlawful communications.
Is a cell phone a two-way communication device?
A two-way communication device refers to portable wireless communication devices such as: cell phones, which are the most widely used. pagers that are still in use in some industries. radios that are essential for various public safety operations, including a two-way device and a two-way communications device.
What is Section 86 of the Electronic communications Act?
86. Unauthorised access to, interception of or interference with data. (1)Subject to the Interception and Monitoring Prohibition Act, 1992 (Act No. 127 of 1992), a person who intentionally accesses or intercepts any data without authority or permission to do so, is guilty of an offence.