Electronic Communications Code
The electronic communications code (the Code) is set out in Schedule 3A of the Communications Act 2003. It is a set of rights that are designed to facilitate the installation and maintenance of electronic communications networks.
The Code confers rights on providers of such networks and on providers of systems of infrastructure to install and maintain apparatus on, under and over land and results in considerably simplified planning procedures.
The Code only has effect in the case of a person to whom it is applied by a direction given by Ofcom (or, in the case of the Secretary of State or any Northern Ireland department, where the Secretary of State or that department is providing or proposing to provide an electronic communications network)
- AB Internet Limited
- Airwave Solutions Limited
- Affiniti Integrated Solutions Limited
- Affinity Water Limited
- Arqiva Communications Ltd
- Arqiva Services Limited
- Arqiva Limited
- Anglian Water Services Ltd
- AT&T Global Network Services (UK) B.V.
- Atlas Communications NI Limited
- (aq) Limited
- Bolt Pro Tem Limited
- Bristol Water Plc
- British Telecommunications plc
- Broadband for the Rural North Limited
- Bytel Networks Ltd
- Call Flow Solutions Limited
- Cable & Wireless UK
- Central North Sea Fibre Telecommunications Company Limited
- Centric Telco Ltd
- CityLink Telecommunications Limited
- CityFibre Metro Networks Limited
- Cogent Communications UK Ltd
- COLT Technology Services
- Community Fibre Limited
- Concept Solutions People Ltd
- Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig
- EE Limited
- Eircom UK Ltd
- Energis Communications Ltd
- Energis Local Access Ltd
- The Environment Agency
- EU Networks Fiber UK Limited
- Eurobell (South West) Limited
- Eurobell (Sussex) Limited
- Eurobell (West Kent) Limited
- Euro Payphone Ltd
- FibreSpeed Limited
- Fibrewave Networks
- FLAG Atlantic UK Limited
- Fujitsu Services Limited
- Gamma Telecom Holdings Ltd
- GeneSYS Telecommunications Limited
- Geo Metro Limited
- Geo Networks Limited
- Gigaclear Plc
- Hibernia Atlantic (UK) Limited
- Hibernia Express (UK) Limited
- Highlands and Islands Enterprise
- Hutchison 3G UK Limited
- Hyperoptic Ltd
- Independent Fibre Networks Limited
- Independent Next Generation Networks Limited
- In Focus Public Networks Ltd
- Infolines Public Network Ltd (Code powers suspended)
- Internet Central Ltd
- Internet Connections Limited
- Interoute (i-21 Limited)
- KCOM Group Plc
- KPN EuroRings B.V.
- Lancaster University Network Services Limited
- Level 3 Communications UK Limited
- M3Com II Limited, Bermuda
- MLL Telecom Ltd
- MS3 Networks Ltd
- Neos Networks Ltd
- Network Rail Infrastructure Limited
- NextGenAccess Ltd.
- Northumbrian Water Limited
- NWP Street Ltd
- Orange Personal Communication Services Ltd
- Open Network Systems Limited
- Quickline Communications Limited
- Reach Europe Ltd
- Scottish Water
- Sea Fibre Networks Ltd
- Severn Trent Water Ltd
- Severn Trent Retail Services Limited
- Solway Communications Limited
- Sky Telecommunications Services Limited
- Sky UK Limited
- Smallworld Media Communications Limited
- South East Water Plc
- South West Water Ltd
- Sprintlink UK Ltd
- Spyder Facilities Limited
- SSE Telecommunications Limited
- Surf Telecoms Limited
- Subtopia Limited
- Sutton and East Surrey Water Plc
- TalkTalk Communications Limited
- Tata Communications (UK) Limited
- Telewest Limited
- Telefonica UK Limited
- TeliaSonera International Carrier UK Limited
- Thames Water Utilities Ltd
- The Wireless Infrastructure Company Limited
- The Wireless Asset Company Limited
- Telecommunications Wireless and Infrastructure Services Limited
- Telensa Ltd.
- Thus plc
- TIBUS (trading as The Internet Business Limited)
- Timico Partner Services Limited
- Tiscali UK Limited
- United Utilities Plc
- UK Broadband Limited
- Verizon UK Ltd
- Viatel Infrastructure (UK) Limited
- Virgin Media Limited
- Virgin Media Wholesale Limited
- Vodafone Limited
- Vtesse Networks Ltd
- WarwickNet Ltd
- Wessex Water Services Ltd
- Wifinity Limited
- Wightfibe Limited
- Yorkshire Water Service Ltd
- Zayo Group UK Limited
Persons to whom the Code applies (Code operators) are subject to conditions and restrictions imposed by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 109 of the Communications Act 2003. These conditions and restrictions are set out in the Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) Regulations 2003/2533 as amended. Amongst other things, these include an obligation to comply with a Code of Practice concerning the siting of cabinets and poles.
Ofcom is also responsible for maintaining a register of persons who have been granted Code powers.
Ofcom also has an enforcement role under s.110 of the Communications Act 2003 over compliance by Code operators with any requirement imposed by virtue of any restrictions or conditions under the Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) Regulations 2003 as amended.
What can I do if Ofcom cannot help and I want to take the matter further?
Ofcom cannot provide advice on the Code. If you are in doubt as to your legal rights or obligations, we advise that you seek independent legal advice.
For queries on Code powers and to apply, contact Ofcom’s ECC Code Powers Team at ECCCodepowers@ofcom.org.uk.
With the amendment of the Code in 2017, section 106(4)(b) of the Communications Acts 2003 was changed to replace references to “conduit system” with “system of infrastructure”. Our application requirements are being amended to reflect the current Code framework.
Any application we receive will be an application for Code powers on the basis of the grounds for application under section 106 of the Communications Act 2003.
Ofcom charges an application fee and annual administrative charge to cover its estimated costs of processing applications and administering the Code. Current rates are set out in our tariff tables.