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Independent television services

27Report by OFCOM on public teletext service

After section 218 of the Communications Act 2003 insert—

218ADuty to report on public teletext service

(1)OFCOM must—

(a)prepare a report on the public teletext service, and

(b)send it to the Secretary of State as soon as practicable after this section comes into force.

(2)OFCOM must prepare and send to the Secretary of State further reports on the public teletext service when asked to do so by the Secretary of State.

(3)Each report must include, in particular—

(a)an assessment of the advantages and disadvantages for members of the public of the public teletext service being provided, and

(b)an assessment of whether the public teletext service can be provided at a cost to the licence holder that is commercially sustainable.

(4)An assessment under subsection (3)(a) must take account of alternative uses for the capacity that would be available if the public teletext service were not provided.

(5)OFCOM must publish every report under this section—

(a)as soon as practicable after they send it to the Secretary of State, and

(b)in such manner as they consider appropriate.

(6)“Capacity” means capacity on the frequencies on which Channel 3 services, Channel 4, S4C and television multiplex services are broadcast.