High Court stay puts Comreg's imminent broadband auction on hold

Three Ireland's case is that a December 2020 decision of Comreg to hold the auction which will assign rights across the four spectrum brands for the next 20 years would put it at a competitive disadvantage.

Comreg opposed Three's stay application and said the award process should proceed to ensure the 5G roll out goes ahead and meets EU targets to make spectrum available throughout the State which will improve performance and coverage, particularly in rural areas.

The High Court has put on hold the start next week of a new auction system for the awarding of spectrum bands for mobile and wireless broadband services.

Mr Justice Denis McDonald, on Thursday, granted a stay to Three Ireland against the communications regulator Comreg's planned auction due to begin on Monday, July 25, and scheduled to run until October.