The Telegraph Act 1863 was passed to regulate the Exercise of Powers under Special Acts for the Construction and Maintenance of Telegraphs. This legislation described the rights of telegraph companies to install lines and the regulations that applied in all normal circumstances: along public roads, across private land, alongside railway tracks and canals, and on the seashore, including the rights of occupiers and landowners. The Telegraph Act 1868 enabled Her Majesty's Postmaster General to acquire, work and maintain Electric Telegraphs. The Telegraph Act 1870 has extended the Telegraph Acts of 1868 and 1869, to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The Telegraph Act 1878 has made further provisions respecting the Post Office Telegraphs. The Submarine Telegraph Act, 1885 brought into effect an International Convention for the Protection of Submarine Telegraph Cables. The Telegraph (Isle of Man) Act, 1889 has amended the Telegraph Acts 1863 to 1885, and the Post Office Acts in relation to the Isle of Man. The Telegraph Act 1892 made further provisions respecting Telegraphs. The Telegraph Act 1899 made further provision for the Improvement of Telephonic Communication and otherwise with respect to Telegraphs. The Telegraph (Construction) Act, 1908 was enacted to amend the Telegraph Acts 1863 to 1907, with respect to the Construction and Maintenance of Telegraphic Lines for telephonic and other telegraphic purposes. The Telegraph (Arbitration) Act, 1909 granted further powers to the Railway and Canal Commission to determine differences with respect to Telegraphs (including Telephones). The Telephone Transfer Act 1911 was enacted to make provision in relation to the transfer to the Postmaster General of the plant, property and assets, and of the staff of the National Telephone Company, Limited, and for the further improvement of Telephonic Communication. The Telegraph (Construction) Act, 1911 aimed to facilitate the construction and maintenance of Telegraphic Lines. The Telegraph (Construction) Act, 1916 amended the Telegraph Acts 1863 to 1915 with respect to the construction and maintenance of telegraphic lines. The Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1949 amended the law relating to wireless telegraphy. The British Telecommunications Act, 1981 established a public corporation to be called British Telecommunications and made further provision with respect to the Post Office. The Telecommunications (Fraud) Act, 1997 has amended the Telecommunications Act 1984, making it illegal to possess or supply anything for fraudulent purposes in connection by means of the telecommunications system. The Communications Act, 2003 was enacted to confer functions on the Office of Communications.
