Spectrum auction suspended

12:05 PM

The Government's auction of radio spectrum to be used by third-generation mobile phones may be held up for two weeks.

Acting Communications Minister Michael Cullen has announced the auction will be put on ice while the Court of Appeal hears two appeals.

These have been made by the New Zealand Maori Council and Mrs Rangiaho Everton.

The Court may take a week to ten days to deliver its decision.

Dr Cullen says there was the chance the auction was about to end and he didn't want to jeopardise the legality of any sale with pending court action.

- IRN