Owais Gul
Srinagar, Feb 05: After remaining suspended for 550 days, the high speed mobile data services are all set to be restored shortly across Jammu and Kashmir, the UT administration announced Friday.
The government spokesman, Rohit Kansal in a tweet informed that 4G mobile internet services are being restored in J&K.
“4G mobile internet services being restored in entire J&K,” Kansal tweeted.
Notably, the high speed mobile data services were restored in twin J&K districts including Ganderbal in Kashmir and Udhampur in Jammu division on “a trial basis” on August 16, 2020.
The services were suspended on August 05, 2019 when the government in centre abrogated the special status of J&K and bifurcated the erstwhile State into two Union territories.
Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir government had on January 22 this year extended a ban on high speed mobile data services across the Union territory barring two districts till February 06.
Former chief minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah while reacting to the announcement said it is better late than never.
“4G Mubarak! For the first time since Aug 2019 all of J&K will have 4G mobile data. Better late than never, Omar tweeted.
The demand for the restoration of high speed mobile data services by traders and the student community had gone out loud across Jammu and Kashmir.
Talking to KNO, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCC&I) president, Sheikh Ashiq termed the government announcement as a good step, saying that the traders have suffered a lot due to the suspension of the services and now they would heave a sigh of relief.
“Though the decision should have been taken much earlier¸ but at last good senses prevail and let us appreciate the government for taking this step,” he said.
Kashmir Traders and Manufacturing Federation (KTMF) Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Khan told KNO that the decision will definitely benefit the people especially traders. “Due to the slow speed internet services, it was taking too long to do some work, but now it will ease the work of traders,” he said.
He added that the decision should have been taken much earlier. “Business in the present era is mostly online and everything is dependent on the internet. So, the restoration of 4G internet will help the traders, tourism sector and others as it will ease their work,” he said.
Besides, he said that banking and other processes will also be eased after its restoration.
The students also took to the social media platforms and expressed their happiness over the restoration of high speed mobile data services.
A number of youth (students) posted on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites about restoration of 4G mobile internet and stated that they will heave a sigh of relief—(KNO)
