J&K: Broadband, 2G mobile internet services back in Valley

at 3:03 pm

Srinagar (NVI): In a slight relief from internet shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir, the UT administration has ordered the restoration of 2G mobile internet and broadband services in the Valley from today.

The development comes five months after a complete communication blockade in Kashmir in view of the abrogation of Article 370.

However, the latest notification by the J&K home department in this regard says that only 301 websites ‘whitelisted’ by the administration can be accessed.

Social media applications will continue to remain out of bounds for the Valley’s residents. “Access shall be limited to the whitelisted sites and not to any social media applications allowing peer to peer communication and Virtual Private Network Applications,” the J&K Government order dated 24.01.2020 read.

“Data services shall be avaliable on the post-paid mobiles and pre-paid sim cards of such holders whose credentials have been verified as per the norms available for postpaid connections,” it said adding that the internet speed shall be restricted to 2G only.

According to reports, the administration will also review the situation on January 31 and after consultations with intelligence and security authorities, take a call on including social media sites platforms to the list of accessible platforms.

On January 10, the Supreme Court had asked the J&K administration to review within a week all orders imposing curbs, especially internet shutdown in the Union Territory.

Following that order, the J&K administration had restored voice calling and short messaging service (SMS) facilities for all prepaid users across Jammu and Kashmir on January 18.

J&K Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu has said that internet and communications will be restored in the Valley in a phased manner.