High-speed web access to resume in Kashmir

Authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir said Friday they would restore high-speed web access in the region, bringing to an end what rights groups have called one of the world’s longest internet clampdowns, AFP reported.

New Delhi imposed a communications shutdown on Aug. 5, 2019 in restive Kashmir to quell unrest after it revoked the region’s semi-autonomy and brought it under direct rule.

Access to slow, 2G internet for mobile and fixed-line subscribers was restored in March 2020, but high-speed 4G access remained blocked.

Authorities then issued fortnightly orders restricting mobile data speeds, with the latest rolling ban due to expire on Saturday.

“4G mobile internet services being restored in entire J&K,” Rohit Kansal, a spokesman for the Jammu & Kashmir territory, tweeted late on Friday.

No further details were released, but an AFP journalist in Kashmir’s main city of Srinagar reported a jump in mobile internet speeds just before midnight local time.