Broadband, mobile internet partially restored in Jammu and Kashmir

Mobile Internet was partially restored in five districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday with several riders. The administration of Union Territory has also allowed broadband in hotels, travel establishments and hospitals but only on white-listed websites.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration restored 2G mobile connectivity on postpaid mobiles for accessing white-listed sites, including for e-banking in the districts of Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and Reasi.

All districts fall in Jammu region of the Union Territory. 

However, in the other districts of Jammu and Kashmir, mobile internet connectivity will remain suspended till further directions, the government order said. 

The order will be effective from January 15 and remain in force for 7 days, unless modified earlier.

In its three-page order, the home department of J&K administration said additional 400 internet kiosks will be established in Kashmir division.

The order said internet service providers will offer broadband facility (with Mac binding) to all institutions dealing with essential services, hospitals, banks and government offices.

Hotels and tour and travel establishments will also be able to have access to broadband internet in order to facilitate tourism.

This comes days after the Supreme Court on January 10 said that access to the Internet is a fundamental right under Article 19 of the Constitution. It also asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to review within a week all orders imposing curbs in the Union Territory.

Restrictions were imposed in Jammu and Kashmir after the Centre's abrogation of provisions of Article 370 on August 5 last year.