2G Internet, Broadband Services Being Restored In Kashmir From Today

This is the biggest breakthrough in internet connectivity in the region since August 5 last year when the government imposed restrictions on mobile internet in J&K after the abrogation of Article 370.

Internet with 2G speed on mobile phones will resume from January 25. (File Photo/ Getty)

Srinagar: After more than five month of communication blockade, mobile internet and broadband services are being finally restored in Kashmir from Saturday. As per report, the Jammu & Kashmir administration has informed that internet services will be thrown open across all the 20 districts in the Union Territory effective from today. 2G mobile internet services on postpaid as well as prepaid phones will be restored in the Valley. However, the order also stated that consumers would only be able to access 301 websites approved by the Jammu and Kashmir administration. This is the biggest breakthrough in internet connectivity in the region since August 5 last year when the government imposed restrictions on mobile internet in J&K after the abrogation of Article 370. The sites approved include search engines and those associated with banking, education, news, travel, utilities and employment. The Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) shall continue with the process of verification of credentials of prepaid sim holders as per the norms applicable for post-paid connection. According to a notification issued by the home department of the Jammu and Kashmir administration, access to the internet with 2G speed on mobile phones will resume from January 25. Access shall be limited only on whitelisted sites and social media applications will continue to remain out of bounds for the Valley's residents, it said, adding, data services shall be available on postpaid as well as prepaid sim cards. The communication facilities provided by the government by way of internet kiosks and e-terminals apart from special arrangement for tourists, students and traders will continue. The directions will be effective from Saturday and will be in force till January 31 unless modified earlier, said an order issued by Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary, J&K government. The move comes within a week of the administration ordering restoration of prepaid mobile services in the Valley and resumption of 2G mobile data service on whitelisted websites across the Jammu division. The latest development comes after the Supreme Court, in a significant ruling on January 10, asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to review within a week all orders imposing curbs in the Union Territory. The Supreme Court came down heavily on the UT administration for arbitrarily shutting down the internet, the facility described as a fundamental right by the apex court. The internet restrictions are being relaxed by the government in stages. On January 14, the government had announced that low-speed 2G mobile internet services shall be restored in two out 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley -- Bandipur and Kupwara -- and all the 10 districts of Jammu region for 153 whitelisted websites. Internet services, landline and mobile phones were snapped across Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of the Centre's announcement to scrap special status of the erstwhile state and its bifurcation into Union Territories on August 5. While most of the services except mobile internet were restored in Jammu within a week, Kashmir witnessed restoration of landlines and postpaid mobile services and internet facilities for essential services like hospitals in phases.