With 4G active on trial basis in J&K’s 2 districts, what are the possibilities over internet now?

It has almost been a year now since Jammu and Kashmir was snapped off its internet services as the Centre announced last year that the special status of this state would be abrogated and it would be split into two Union Territories.

But now on August 16^th, an order has been issued by the Union Territory’s Principal Secretary, Home, Shaleen Kabra, which states that high-speed mobile data services in the districts of Udhampur and Ganderbal shall be restored forthwith, but on a trial basis, while in the rest of the districts, Internet speed shall continue to be restricted to 2G only.

The order shall remain valid till September 8th next month, it said.

It has been reported that the resumption of 4G Internet services on mobile devices came days after the Centre had informed the Supreme Court that a special committee looking into the matter was considering allowing the facility on a trial basis in two districts of the Union Territory.

According to the order, high-speed Internet will be provided to post-paid subscribers while pre-paid customers would be able to use the services only after completing the verification process. The order also said on fixed landline connections, Internet connectivity, without any restrictions, shall continue to be made available with Mac-binding. The decision would remain in force till September 8, unless modified earlier, it said.

Technically speaking if the 4G trial period until September 8^th works, then the citizens of Udhampur and Ganderbal should be able to experience faster network connections with high voice quality. It will now be easy to download huge files, stream videos and music, and more importantly help businesses resume online trade with digital payments giving e-commerce a big push in the region. Tackling Coronavirus could get a lot easier with digital health interventions. It is also believed that now tax filing can be done online.

Opening up of 4G services can also enable educational activities to resume, helping online teaching methodologies to reach the student population of J&K.