Legislation

The legal framework for electronic communications and postal services is influenced by Directives of the European Union. Having signed the Agreement on the European Economic Area Iceland has made a commitment to adopt all of the Directives of EU in the fields of electronic communications and postal services. The Electronic Communications Act and the Act on the PTA, both of which were passed in 2003, implement the major provisions of the EU Communications Directive package of 2002. Similarly the Act on Postal Services from 2002 implements especially with respect to universal services the corresponding provisions of the Postal Directive of the EU. The Act contains a number of provisions either mandating or authorising the Minister of Transport and Communications to issue regulations to complement the Acts. In some cases the PTA is either mandated or authorised to issue rules about the implementation of certain aspects of the Acts.

A list of Acts, regulations and rules in force follows with the appropriate weblinks. Weblinks are only provided when an english version is available. No responsibility is assumed for the accuracy of the various texts after translation to English as they are unofficial. Legal authenticity remains with the original Icelandic versions.

The Post and Telecom Administration

•  Act on the Post and Tele­com Administration, No. 69, 24 March 2003
  • Act no. 62/2012 amending the Electronic Communications Act and the Act on the Post and Telecom Administration (CERT-IS, operating fee, etc.).
    
    A new Act ,No. 172, 20 December 2006,  on an amendment on the Act on the Post and Telecom Administration entered into force on January 1st. 2007.  
    Act No 172/2006 (in icelandic)
     

Rulings Committee

• Regulation no. 36/2009 on the Rulings Committee for Electronic Communication and Postal Affairs (PDF)

Postal affairs

• Postal Services Act No. 19, 18 March 2002

Electronic Communications in general

• Electronic Communications Act No. 81, 26 March 2003
  • Act no. 62/2012 amending the Electronic Communications Act and the Act on the Post and Telecom Administration (CERT-IS, operating fee, etc.).
  • Act No. 39/2007, Amendment on the Electronic Communications Act No. 81/2003
  • Act No. 78/2005, Amendment on the Electronic Communications Act No. 81/2003
• Act on Third-Generation Mobile Telephony, No 8, 15. February 2005
• • Comments on the Legistlativ Bill on Third-Generation Mobile Telephony
• European Regulatory Framework (applies in Iceland)

• Regulation on the planning and allocation of frequencies no. 1047/2011
• Regulation on electronic communications billing no.526/2011 (PDF)
• Regulation regarding Premium rate services, no. 780/2010
• Regulation on the protection of information in public communications networks, no 1221/2007 (PDF)
• Regulation on the functionality of public communications networks, no 1222/2007 (PDF)
• Regulation on on protection, functionality, and quality of IP communications services, no 1223/2007 (PDF)
• Rules on indoor cables for electronic communications no. 1109/2006
• Rules about General Authorisation to operate electronic communications networks or services, no. 345/2005
• Regulation about amateur radio licenses, no. 298/2002
• Regulation on the operations of electronic communications undertakings domicied in states outside the European Economic Area no. 734/2000
• Regulation on separation of electronic communications networks and cable television networks nr.866/2000
• Regulation regarding Universal Service, no. 641/2000 as amended Regulation on access to leased lines, no. 608/1996
• Regulation about standardisation in the fields of information technology and telecommunications, no. 35/1995
• Regulation concerning the operation of radio stations, no. 493/1988
• Regulation concerning the use of Citizen Band radio stations in the 27 MHz band, no. 2/1987
• Regulation on secrecy and protection of telecommunications, no. 83/1986

Numbers and frequencies

• Rules for number portability, no.401/2001
• Rules for carrier selection and carrier pre-selection in telephone networks,no. 280/2002
• Rules on structure, assignment and use of numbers, number sequences and addresses in the domain of electronic communications, no. 450/2008

Equipment

• R&TTE Directive 1999/5EC - rules for the placing on the market and putting into service of Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment
• Regulation on the approval of subscriber equipment, no. 589/1994 as amended

Marine equipment

• Regulation on the safety of fishing vessels of 15 meters in length overall and over, as amended, no 122/2004 (PDF on the web of the Icelandic Maritime Administration)
• Regulation concerning the telecommunication equipment and telecommunications to and from Icelandic ships, no. 53/2000
• Regulation concerning GMDSS radio equipment in ships, no. 513/1998
• Regulations on emergency beacons on the frequency 121.5 MHz, no 445/1993
• Regulation on emergency beacons on the frequency 406 MHz, no. 71/1991

Broadcasting

• Regulation on the use of standards for television signals, no. 532/2001
• Regulation on cable radio and television networks, no. 41/1991