Section 139ZA: Higher penalties for certain contraventions

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

This section applies where—

a person is given a notification under section 138 which specifies a proposed penalty; and
the condition in subsection (2) or (3) is met.

The condition in this subsection is that—

the proposed penalty is in respect of a contravention of a requirement to provide information under section 135; and
the demand for the information contains a statement that OFCOM consider the information to be necessary for the purpose of—
carrying out any of their functions under sections 105L to 105Z;
preparing a report under section 105Z12.

The condition in this subsection is that the proposed penalty is in respect of a contravention of a requirement imposed under subsection (3C) of section 135.

Section 139 applies in relation to the proposed penalty as if—

in subsection (4B), the maximum penalty specified were £50,000 per day;
in subsection (5), the maximum penalty specified were £10 million.

The Secretary of State may by regulations amend this section so as to make different provision as to the maximum penalty applying under section 139(4B) or (5).

No regulations are to be made containing provision authorised by subsection (5) unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House.

About this text

This legislation text comes from legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. These source and reuse terms cover the legislation text, not Remedy's commentary.

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