India said that it is restoring 4G connection in Jammu and Kashmir, following prolonged internet shutdowns and 2G connections in the region.
The government's plan is to allow 4G connectivity on the two district on a trial basis.
The relaxation of internet connectivity isn't planned on any area adjoining the International Border or the Line of Control. The areas which are getting 4G internet are also those with "low threshold for terrorist activities".
In a hearing at India’s court, Attorney General KK Venugopal, said that the government is ready to restore 4G in Jammu and Kashmir after August 15. The authorities are going to observe the outcome of this and the situation for at least two months, before deciding the next step.
The Attorney General also said that the internet restrictions are not posing any hindrance to 'COVID-19' coronavirus care, education or business in the union territory and that given the current security scenario.
A three-judge bench of Justices NV Ramana, R Subhash Reddy and BR Gavai heard the case through video conferencing.
High speed internet service in Jammu and Kashmir has been suspended since over a year when the government scrapped Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370 and it into two union territories - Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
It wasn’t until January when connectivity was partially restored.
The later in March, the government lifted site restrictions, but imposed 2G connectivity limitation for mobile internet.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration sought time to take instructions on the restoration of high-speed internet service, saying that a new Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu has resigned from his post, and Manoj Sinha has just been appointed for the union territory.
The GC Murmu-led Jammu and Kashmir administration has faced controversy in the past for its opposition to restore 4G internet services in the regions.
It cited increased terror activity as the reason behind its move in the Supreme Court in response to petitions seeking restoration of high-speed internet.
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