The telco asks the courts to remove from the roll its urgent application to interdict the regulator.
Cell C, Vodacom and MTN are unconvinced Telkom’s offer to withdraw its interdict application will hasten issuing of spectrum.
The telco is willing to withdraw the interdict application on condition its concerns are addressed before the finalisation of the spectrum auction process.
The implementation of the non-geographic number portability regulations will stimulate activity and healthy competition in SA’s telecommunications market, say pundits.
Businesses that rely on 087, 0800, 0860 or 0861 numbers and the like are able to port or transfer their number to another service provider.
The mobile operators say the industry must promote sustainable investment and effective competition, hence the need to free up spectrum urgently.
The telco files court papers to oppose Telkom’s interdict, aimed to prevent ICASA from processing the invitations to apply for high-demand spectrum.
The telco again files an application asking the Gauteng High Court to review and set aside the Invitations to Apply for high-demand spectrum.
The switching off of the transmitter in the province symbolises the progress ‘department continues to register towards the completion of the Broadcast Digital Migration’.
The telco questions the separation of the wholesale open access network from the process, saying this has a bearing on the whole licensing undertaking.
After three months of drawn-out negotiations, the wait is over, as the regulator issues the final invitation to apply for the International Mobile Telecommunications spectrum.
The regulator maintains an auction is the most competitive and transparent mechanism to license high-demand spectrum.