This statutory instrument establishes the legal criteria for calculating the number of houses within a specific area to determine eligibility for a diffusion service licence. The order was issued by the government of Great Britain to provide a standardized regulatory framework for broadcasting authorities. It defines the mathematical and geographical parameters required for compliance with the Broadcasting Act 1990.

Legal professionals and regulatory historians view this document as a foundational administrative instrument for the UK's telecommunications infrastructure. It is primarily utilized as a reference for understanding the historical evolution of broadcasting licensing requirements in the late twentieth century.