Remedy
Start free

Section 72B: Broadband download speeds: duty to give direction under section 72A

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

The Secretary of State must give OFCOM a direction under section 72A if—

the universal service order specifies a minimum download speed for broadband connections and services at a fixed location and the speed so specified is less than 30 megabits per second, and
it appears to the Secretary of State, on the basis of information published by OFCOM, that broadband connections or services that provide a minimum download speed of at least 30 megabits per second are subscribed to for use in at least 75% of premises in the United Kingdom.

The direction—

must require OFCOM to review and report to the Secretary of State on whether it would be appropriate for the universal service order to specify a higher minimum download speed, and
may also require OFCOM to review and report to the Secretary of State on any other matter falling within section 72A(1).

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.