Communications and digital technologies minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams believes the wholesale open access network will address past imbalances in the sector.

The telco wants the regulator to consider the impact of current spectrum trading deals in the design of the upcoming auction.

With the promise of permanent spectrum by the end of the year, the operators say lower spectrum prices would incentivise greater coverage of rural areas.

The mobile operator is still waiting for the arrival of critical telecommunications equipment needed to light up its 5G network.

The regulator looks to finalise the high-demand spectrum licensing process by auction this year as planned, despite COVID-19 restrictions.

The broad-based black economic empowerment ICT group intends to bid for spectrum when it is auctioned early next year.

The country's growth can only come when the available spectrum is released, says ICASA.

The authority "accepts" Friday's High Court judgement, which has effectively halted next year's planned radio frequency spectrum auction.

The regulator has changed the schedule for the spectrum auction and made changes to stipulations on BEE and data speeds.

Telkom considers legal action against the regulator's approach to a planned spectrum auction.

The regulator defends itself after minister Siyabonga Cwele announced plans to take it to court to stop the spectrum auction.

The mobile operator is worried the regulator has issued an invitation to apply for spectrum "without a clear policy directive from government".