Section 89C: Obligation to notify OFCOM of voluntary separation

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—

OFCOM have made a determination that a person ("the dominant provider") has significant market power in an identified services market;
the dominant provider is the provider of a public electronic communications network or a person who makes associated facilities available; and
the dominant provider decides to transfer a substantial part or all of the dominant provider's local access network assets to an independently operating business entity (which may be a part of the dominant provider or another person) for the purpose specified in subsection (2).

That purpose is to use the assets to provide products or services to the dominant provider and to other persons—

on the same timescales, terms and conditions, including those relating to price and service levels; and
by means of the same systems and processes.

The dominant provider must notify OFCOM of—

the decision to transfer the assets;
any changes to its intentions; and
the taking effect of the transfer.

Where OFCOM receive a notification under this section, they must, as soon as reasonably practicable, consider the impact that the transfer is likely to have on SMP services conditions set in relation to the services markets which, in OFCOM's opinion, will be affected by the proposed transfer.

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.