In a statement on 16 October, Vodafone Qatar said: "We had prepared several dates and presented them to the QFMA.

However, due to the market conditions at the time, the QFMA did not approve the proposed dates and requested Vodafone Qatar propose a revised timetable."

The Qatari subsidiary of the giant UK mobile phone operator has to list on the Doha market before 30 November if it is to comply with the terms of its licence, which were set by the telecoms regulator ictQatar.

"If we are not given dates that meet the ictQatar deadline, we will have to take a letter in writing to them from the QFMA on why the deadline could not be met," said the statement.