Government refuses to extend 4G internet beyond Ganderbal, Udhampur in J&K

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday decided against extending the 4G mobile internet facility outside the districts of Ganderbal and Udhampur, citing apprehensions about possible misuse by those indulging in terror activities.

However, the high-speed facility which was restored on a trial basis in Kashmir's Ganderbal and Jammu region's Udhampur on 16 August would continue till 30 September as there has been no report of misuse in the two districts.

Internet services were cut off in Jammu and Kashmir last year on August 5, hours before the Centre revoked Article 370 of the Constitution and split the state into two Union Territories.

The low-speed or 2G internet service on mobile phones was restored on January 25, although outages continue to be imposed intermittently amid a complete ban on 4G network.

Pointing out that agencies have reported infiltration attempts by terrorists along the LoC and International Border, and apprehension of facilitation of these attempts if high-speed mobile data services are restored, UT’s Principal Secretary Home Shaleen Kabra said that they have also indicated potential of misuse of high-speed data services in disturbing public order.