The Communications Act 2003 dissolves the Independent Television
Commission, Broadcasting Standards Commission, Radio Authority, Office of
Telecommunications (OFTEL) and the Radiocommunications Agency, and replaces
these with a new body, the Office of Communications (OFCOM). OFCOM is charged
with the regulation of the UK communications industries, with responsibilities
across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications
services, and with furthering the interests of citizens and consumers in
relation to communications matters. The Act also liberalises UK media ownership
rules and allows for the formation of a single ITV company, subject to existing
competition in merger regulations. Further provisions related to licensing of
the broadcasting spectrum. The full text is available on the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) website.
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