2G mobile internet services extended in J&K till March 4
SRINAGAR: Social networking sites allowing peer-to-peer communication and virtual private networks (VPNs) will remain unavailable in Jammu and Kashmir as anti-national elements and people across the border continue to “misuse” these platforms, officials said on Tuesday as 2G mobile internet services were extended till March 4.
Issuing an order here, the home department said while assessing the impact of the directions relating to regulation of telecom services, it has come to fore that VPNs continue to be misused by anti-national elements, including their handlers from across the border, to bypass internet restrictions.
It said that VPNs come handy for them to coordinate with their operatives within the UT and plan terror acts and scale up antinational activities. As per the order, internet service providers (ISPs) have been asked to ensure access to 1,674 white-listed sites only and not to any social media applications allowing peer-topeer communication and VPN applications, the order said.
J&K home secretary Shaleen Kabra said “The IGP Kashmir/ Jammu will ensure immediate compliance of these directions by all service providers.”
“Data services shall be available on the postpaid mobiles and on prepaid SIM cards of such holders whose credentials have been verified as per the norms applicable for postpaid connections; and the internet speed shall be restricted to 2G only,” the order stated.
Officials of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) said broadband services will take time to resume in the Valley until social media and other websites not on the white-list are properly firewalled.
BSNL general manager Nazir Ahmad Joo said work to create a firewall in compliance with the orders of the home department is in progress.“Once it is done and tested, we will be able to start broadband services in Kashmir. It may be completed in a few days,” he said.
Technical experts from Noida and Banglore are working for the BSNL to create a firewall to stop any attempts by people to access social media in Kashmir.
On January 24, the administration had announced restoration of low speed mobile internet and fixed line connectivity in all districts with access to a whitelist of around 301 websites. On January 15, broadband services with mac-binding were restored in government establishments.
BSNL OFFICIALS SAY BROADBAND SERVICES TO TAKE TIME TO RESUME UNTIL SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHER WEBSITES NOT ON THE WHITE-LIST ARE PROPERLY FIREWALLED