South Africa\u2019s long-awaited plan to sell more high-speed internet spectrum has been thrown into doubt after Telkom won a court ruling suspending the process.<\/p>\n
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa should hold off on the auction and lift a deadline for the submission of final bids while Telkom\u2019s case is considered, according to the High Court in Pretoria.<\/p>\n
The decision threatens to derail the sale of more than R8 billion ($516 million) of broadband spectrum following years of delays, a move designed to help revive the economy and lower data costs.<\/p>\n
The auction has long been demanded by mobile-phone operators including Telkom, but the former phone monopoly took action after concluding the terms are not to the company\u2019s benefit.<\/p>\n
The structure of the sale is also opposed by MTN, which has the country\u2019s second-biggest number of mobile-phone subscribers and is pursuing its own legal case.<\/p>\n
The Johannesburg-based carrier argues it is being shut out of bidding for new 5G bandwidth due to its size. Market leader Vodacom has not objected.<\/p>\n