The Communications Regulation Act 2002 establishes the Commission for Communications Regulation (the Commission) as the national regulatory authority overseeing the electronic communications and postal sectors in Ireland. This Act dissolves the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation and transfers relevant functions to the newly formed Commission, which is empowered to manage compliance, the radio frequency spectrum, and the national numbering resource. The Commission is required to operate independently, with defined objectives aimed at promoting competition, protecting consumer interests, and ensuring efficient management of electronic communications services.

Additionally, the Act outlines provisions for electronic communications infrastructure, including the sharing of physical infrastructure among providers and the processes for obtaining consents for roadworks. The legislation imposes regulatory obligations on service providers and includes enforcement mechanisms through authorised officers and prescribed penalties for non-compliance. The accompanying schedules detail the functions transferred to the Commission and the enactments repealed, reflecting the streamlined regulatory framework for communications in Ireland.