Low-speed mobile internet service restored in Kashmir after six months

Low-speed mobile internet was on Saturday restored in Kashmir after being suspended nearly six months ago in wake of Centre's decision to revoke Article 370, but service can only be used to access 301 websites approved by ministration, officials said.

"Mobile internet has been restored across Valley. Only 2G services have been restored and only white-listed websites, excluding social media sites, can be accessed," an official said.

It is latest step towards easing restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir following Supreme Court's January 10 ruling asking its ministration to review within a week all orders imposing curbs in Union Territory. On January 18, ministration restored prepaid mobile services in Valley and resumed 2G mobile data service on whitelisted websites across Jammu division.

301 sites approved include search engines and those associated with banking, education, news, travel, utilities and employment. re was word yet on resumption of high-speed broband and leased-line services in Valley. A decision on that will be taken at an appropriate time after accessing situation, officials said on Saturday. 2G mobile internet services will be available on postpaid as well as prepaid phones.

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According to a tification issued by home department of Jammu and Kashmir ministration, social media applications will continue to remain out of bounds for Valley's residents. Internet services, landline and mobile phones were snapped across Jammu and Kashmir on eve of Centre's anuncement to scrap special status of erstwhile state and its bifurcation into Union Territories on August 5.

While most of 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. Though restoration of mobile internet was welcomed by people, many said it will t be of much help due to low-speed connectivity.

Yawar Nazir, a resident of Srinagar city, said: " restoration is a welcome news. But what are we going to do with se low speeds in times of 4G or 5G? We cant access websites. It is taking s to open a website." Ar resident Mehraj-ud-din said restoration of low-speed internet "meant thing" for students.

" internet ban has affected our education. It has especially affected those who h to seek missions and to take part in various examinations. w, even as internet has been restored, what good will come out of it as speeds are very low. We cant access most of websites," he said. Ar user Aaishan Ahm said many people in Valley were using social media platforms to be in touch with ir loved ones abro. "y will still have to go for expensive phone calls. Who can imagine such a thing happening in a digital ?" he said.

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