In order to provide 4G internet connectivity on a trial basis in limited areas of Jammu and Kashmir after August 15, the Union government told the apex court that a special committee is looking into the issue of internet restoration in the Union Territory.
Attorney General KK Venugopal told the bench headed by Justice N V Ramana that the special committee has decided that trial will be done in one district each in the J&K division. However, it will not be in any area adjacent to the international border or LoC.
Sources revealed 4G internet restoration will probably be done in areas having a low intensity of terrorist activities.
Mr. Venugopal, representing the Centre, added the Committee has decided that access to 4G internet will be given in a “calibrated manner” and the outcome of the trial will be reviewed after 2 months.
The bench said this is a fairly good stand on the part of the central government and J&K administration.
It is worth mentioning that high-speed internet service in J-K was suspended in August last year when the Centre revoked J&K’s special status and announced bifurcation of the state into two UTs — Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.
Last week, the Supreme Court had directed the Union Territory’s administration to explore the possibility of restoring 4G services in certain areas of the region.