4G mobile internet services being restored in entire Jammu and Kashmir after nearly 2 years
Indian protesters go against the proposed bifurcation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5 in New Delhi, India. Photo: IC. Sketched by the Pan Pacific Agency.
NEW DELHI, Feb 6, 2021, India Today. After being suspended for close to two years, 4G internet services will finally be restored in entire Jammu and Kashmir, India Today reported.
In a tweet, J&K administration principal secretary Rohit Kansal announced that 4G mobile internet services are being restored in entire J&K.
The services, according to sources, are likely to resume from Friday midnight.
However, prepaid SIM cardholders shall be provided access to the internet connectivity only after verification as per norms applicable for post-paid connections, an official notification stated
“Keeping in view the advice of the Special Committee and upon careful review of the overall security scenario, I, Principal Secretary to the Government, Home Department [Competent Authority under sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, hereby revoke the restrictions on mobile data services and fixed line internet connectivity placed vide Government Order No. Home-02 (TSTS) of 2021 dated 22.01.2021, except to the extent that the prepaid SIM card holders shall be provided access to the internet connectivity only after verification as per norms applicable for post-paid connections,” the official notification read.
Former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah reacted to the news of resumption of 4G internet in the union territory and said, “4G Mubarak! For the first time since Aug 2019 all of J&K will have 4G mobile data. Better late than never”.
Internet services were snapped in Jammu and Kashmir before the Centre announced the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution on August 5, 2019. The abrogation of Article 370 stripped J&K of its special status, splitting it into two Union Territories – J&K and Ladakh.
The government had cited separatists and Pakistan-based terrorism as the reason to restrict high-speed internet in Jammu and Kashmir.
In August last year, Central government had told the Supreme Court that a special committee looking into the issue of internet restoration in Jammu and Kashmir was considering allowing 4G internet access on a trial basis in the Union Territory.
Centre had said that 4G access will be given in one district of Jammu region and one in Kashmir. Following this, 4G internet services were restored in Ganderbal and Udhampur district from August 16.
In rest of the J&K districts, internet speed continued to be restricted to 2G.
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