Legislation

The principal legislation governing the regulation of radio use in the United Kingdom and the powers available to the Agency is as follows:

The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (the WT Act 1949) as amended - the principal legislation concerning the use of radio and enforcement.

The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967 (the WT Act 1967) as amended - Section 7 provides for restrictions to be placed on radio equipment likely to cause interference.

The Marine, &c, Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967 (the MEBO Act) as amended - prohibits offshore pirate radio.

The Telecommunications Act 1984 (the T Act) as amended - replaced Section 7 of the WT Act 1967 and strengthened the enforcement powers in the WT Act 1949.

The Broadcasting Act 1990 (the B Act) - amended the WT Act 1949 to create various new offences, increased penalties, further enhanced enforcement powers and extended the MEBO Act to the high seas.

The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998 authorises the use of pricing to provide incentives to use spectrum more efficiently.

The Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Regulations 2000 (the RTTE Regulations) give force to the European Commission http://europa.eu.int/ R&TTE Directive and prescribe the conditions under which radio equipment may be placed on to the market.

For further information see RA 67 The Radio Users Guide to the Law and RA 101 UK Legislation Relevant to Radiocommunications.