High speed internet, broadband remain suspended in Kashmir

The high speed internet and broadband services remained suspended in the Kashmir valley since August 5, when Centre abrogated special status and divided the state into two Union Territories (UTs).

However, 2G internet service on pre and post paid mobile phones of all cellular companies continued but people could assess only white-listed sites approved by the UT administration.

Official sources said that latest weekly meeting on Saturday did not take any decision about resumption of high speed and broadband internet.

However, the meeting decided to continue 2G internet service on mobile phones for next week. The weekly review meeting was being held on the direction of Supreme Court.

The meeting however, added more white-listed websites to earlier 300 sites.

Ban on social media sites would continue though reports were being received about the misuse of VPN. The administration said that stern action would be taken against all those who were using VPN for assessing social media sites.

The people alleged that 2G internet hardly makes any difference as they were still unable to even check their mails due to very low speed. The users said no site, including white listed sites, could be opened due to low speed.

The highway speed internet and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) broadband remained suspended in Kashmir valley since August 5, when all communication networks were snapped in Jammu and Kashmir and UT Ladakh, badly affecting students, media persons and professionals, besides traders who continued to suffer though authorities on January 25 restored 2G mobile internet after over 170 days in the valley.