JK Govt extends high-speed Internet curbs till March 17

Srinagar: The curbs on high-speed 3G, 4G Internet services have been extended till March 17 in Jammu and Kashmir.

As regards service to pre-paid SIMs card, the service providers have been asked to provide access only after SIMs are “verified as per norms applicable to post-paid connections.”

The 2G which is synonymous to slow internet was earlier restricted to 1674 white-listed websites approved by the government. The service providers were asked not to allow access to any social media applications allowing peer-to-peer communication and virtual private network (VPN) applications. Ther is no such mention in the order issued by Principal Secretary, Home department, Shaleen Kabra, announcing that internet speed shall be restricted to 2G only till March 17.

“While the post paid sim card holders shall continue to be provided access to the internet, these services shall not be made available on pre-paid sim cards unless verified as per the norms applicable for post-paid connections,” the order reads.

As regards fixed line connectivity, the order says that internet connectivity shall continue to be made available with Mac-binding.

“It is further directed that the access/communication facilities provided by the Government viz; e-terminals/intcrnet kiosks apart from special arrangements for tourists, students, traders etc. shall continue.”

The inspector generals of police, Kashmir and Jammu, would ensure communication of these directions to the service providers forthwith and ensure implementation of the directions with immediate effect, the order said. “The aforesaid directions shall remain in force upto 17th March, 2020, unless modified earlier,” it added.

The order, according to Kabra, has been issued upon regular assessment of impact of the directions for regulation of the telecom services on the overall security situation and maintenance of “public order and-taking note of the position brought out in the reports of the law enforcement agencies, while keeping in view the aspects of reasonability of restrictions with regard to the principle of proportionality and consideration of available alternatives.”