Jammu and Kashmir: government restores 4G mobile Internet service in entire Union Territory

The Jammu and Kashmir government has restored 4G mobile Internet service in the entire Union Territory. The announcement was made by government spokesperson Rohit Kansal in a tweet. The 4G internet services remained curtailed in Jammu and Kashmir since August 5, 2019 after the central government revoked Article 370 of the Constitution and split the state into Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The low-speed or 2G Internet service on mobile phones was restored on 25th of January, 2020. The high-speed mobile data service was restored in Ganderbal and Udhampur districts on 16th August 2020 on a trial basis, as part of calibrated easing of restrictions. However, the ban continued on the high-speed Internet in the rest of the Union territory with the authorities citing misuse of the Internet by the terrorists.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has also ordered revocation of restrictions on the fixed landline internet connectivity. An order issued by the Principal Secretary (Home) said that the pre-paid SIM card holder shall be given access to internet connectivity only after verification as per norms applicable to postpaid connections.

Hoteliers, businesspersons, and those connected with education have welcomed the decision, saying it will help the economic recovery and advance the democratisation of education through technology.