2G Mobile internet, broadband services to be restored in Kashmir from today

Nearly six months after shutting off the internet for Jammu
and Kashmir, the administration on Friday issued orders instructing for
restoration of broadband and mobile internet services at 2G speeds starting
Saturday.

According to a notification by the home department, internet
access shall be limited to whitelisted sites, which has been expanded to 300
from the earlier 153. Restrictions on social media websites that allow “peer to
peer communication and Virtual Private Network Application” will continue.

Data services shall be available on post-paid as well as
pre-paid sim cards. The restoration of the 2G internet facility on mobile
phones will continue till January 31 after which it would be reviewed further,
the order said.

Internet and mobile connectivity was snapped on August 5
last year after the centre announced abrogation of Article 370 of the
Constitution applicable to the erstwhile state and also bifurcated it into two
union territories Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.

The administration had last Saturday restored internet
services in certain parts of the Union Territory, but restricted access to 153
“whitelisted” websites. These included websites under the categories of mail,
services, education, banking, travel, employment, among others.

After the previous government order, 2G internet services on
postpaid mobiles was allowed in all 10 districts of Jammu division and in the
revenue districts of Kupwara and Bandipora of Kashmir Valley. With Friday’s
order, this has been extended throughout the Valley.