4G mobile services resumed in many parts of Jammu and Kashmir on trial basis

New Delhi : High-speed mobile services have been resumed in parts of Jammu and Kashmir on trial basis, the 4G internet services have been suspended for more than a year now.

"High-speed mobile data services in the districts of Ganderbal (Kashmir) and Udhampur (Jammu) shall be restored forthwith, on trial basis, while in rest of the districts, the Internet speed shall continue to be restricted to 2G only," Principal Secretary (Home), Shaleen Kabra, said in an order. "While postpaid SIM card holders shall be provided access to the Internet, these services shall not be made available on prepaid SIM cards unless verified as per norms applicable for post-paid connections," the order added.

The move comes nearly a week after the Centre submitted in Supreme Court that the internet services can be resumed in the region on trial basis.

After suspending phone and Internet services on August 5 last year—the day the Centre revoked the erstwhile state’s special status and bifurcated it into two UTs — the government had restored mobile Internet services on January 25. But, it had asked service providers to limit access to only the websites white-listed by the government and restrict the speed to 2G.

The ban on 4G services was challenged by an NGO in Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had asked the Centre to resume 4G services in the areas which are not close to border or have minimal terrorist movement.

Ganderbal is considered one of the more peaceful districts in the Valley. Udhampur was selected as it has no proximity to the border. Most districts in Jammu are considered peaceful.