Section 125: Dishonestly obtaining electronic communications services

Communications Act 2003 · 2003 c. 21View on legislation.gov.uk

Part 2: Networks, services and the radio spectrum — Chapter 1: Electronic communications networks and services

A person who—

dishonestly obtains an electronic communications service, and
does so with intent to avoid payment of a charge applicable to the provision of that service,

is guilty of an offence.

It is not an offence under this section to obtain a service mentioned in section 297(1) of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (c. 48) (dishonestly obtaining a broadcasting ... service provided from a place in the UK).

A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both;
on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine, or to both.

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Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.