Fixed Penalty Notices for summary Wireless Telegraphy Act offences
Starting Date: 21-12-05
Closing Date: 31-03-06
The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (WT Act 1949) regulates the use of radio equipment. The purpose of the regime is to reduce interference between users and to maintain the most effective and efficient use of spectrum. The WT Act 1949 provides for a number of criminal offences to enforce the regime. In order to lighten the touch of the regulatory regime, the Communications Act 2003 (CA 2003) enables the less serious offences under the WT Act 1949 to be dealt with by fixed penalty notice rather than prosecution. This consultation proposes that in relation to certain minor offences under the WT Act 1949 a system of fixed penalty notices should be introduced as a possible alternative to prosecution. A fixed penalty of £100 is proposed. Typically these would include the most common transgressions, involving use of non-broadcast transmitter equipment - operating such transmitters without a licence or outside the conditions that allow exemption from the need for a licence. The proposals therefore, do not cover more serious offences in connection with both licensed and illegal (i.e. unlicensed) broadcasting. It is also proposed not to bring into the regime offences involving receive-only apparatus.
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