The court ruled in favor of CAT Telecom's petition for injunction against the auction on grounds that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has no authority to organize the bidding and should wait for the creation of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) as provided in a bill pending in parliament.

The bill was approved by the House of Representatives in March but the Senate made amendments on the NBTC's board composition so it will return to the House for re-approval.

The NTC said it would appeal the decision to the Supreme Administrative Court on Friday. If no ruling is issued, it will suspend the 9 a.m. 3G spectrum bidding at Evason Hotel in the central province of Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Information and Communication Technology Minister Chuti Krairiksh assured bidders that the bidding will take place within this year.

Bidders DTAC and True Corp. were disappointed by the ruling.