J&K unlikely to get 4G internet services soon

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered immediate setting up of a high-powered committee headed by the Union home secretary to examine the feasibility of providing 4G internet services in Jammu & Kashmir, or at least in trouble-free areas, in a development that means restrictions on high-speed internet will remain in place in the UT for some more time.
Deciding a bunch of petitions, a bench of Justices N V Ramana, R Subhash Reddy and B R Gavai said the the committee, also comprising the Union telecom secretary and the chief secretary of J&K, will decide whether restrictions on internet speed needed to be continued. The bench expressed the difficulty faced by it in striking a balance between right to information and national security requirements.
The bench asked the committee to “also examine appropriateness of alternatives suggested by the petitioners, regarding limiting restrictions to those areas where it is necessary and allowing of faster internet (3G or 4G) on a trial basis over certain geographical areas and advise the Union gover nment.”