Bahrain's telecommunication watchdog has appealed against a ruling in favour of Menatelecom's bid for the right to offer 4G mobile phone services, a report said.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is contesting an Urgent Matters Court verdict, which ruled against its decision to exclude Menatelecom from an auction involving its rivals Batelco, Viva and Zain, according to the report in our sister publication, the Gulf Daily News.

A court date for the appeal has yet to be set.

However, it is understood a final ruling by the Administrative Court on April 30 will decide Menatelecom's fate in the auction.

The Cabinet last month approved plans to introduce 4G technology as part of efforts to upgrade Bahrain's broadband infrastructure.

Batelco, Viva and Zain had been due to submit their bids to operate fourth generation mobile telephone frequencies last Thursday, but it is understood the auction was postponed as a result of the court's decision. – TradeArabia News Service