Ringing bells of mobile phone, Jammu and Kashmir connects to India resuming post-paid mobile services

Srinagar, October 14: Bouncing back into action, the state of Jammu and Kashmir cut off all restrictions imposed on the state especially with no connectivity. Ringing bells on mobiles, the Post-paid mobile services in the remaining areas of Jammu and Kashmir have been fully restored today. The State's Principal Secretary, Rohit Kansal informed that all post-paid mobile services of various telecom service providers covering all 10 districts of Kashmir province have been restored successfully.

 

Post-paid mobile services were suspended in the valley in view of security concerns in the region following Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370. Rohit Kansal Principal Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir was informed about postpaid services resuming in the valley from October 14. Although landline services resumed in several districts in phases, restrictions remained on the usage of mobile devices in various parts of Kashmir.

In a press briefing on October 12, Saturday, Rohit Kansal said, “Having reviewed the situation, a decision has now been taken to restore mobile phone services in the remaining areas of Jammu and Kashmir. All postpaid mobile services, irrespective of the telecom operator will stand restored and be functional from noon, Monday, October 14, 2019. This will cover all 10 districts of Kashmir province.”

Rohit Kansal explained that the landline facilities were back to being fully functional and mobile services were back in some regions. “Telephone landlines have been fully restored, and have been functioning for over six weeks. Mobile services were restored in Jammu, Ladakh and subsequently in Kupwara,” he said on Saturday.

He also added that restrictions were removed from 99 percent of areas. J&K has nearly 66 lakh mobile subscribers out of which nearly 40 lakh subscribers have post-paid facilities. Partial fixed-line telephony was resumed in the valley on August 17, and by September 4 all landlines, numbering nearly 50,000, were declared operational.

On October 7, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik declared that tourism in the valley will be resumed from October 10. While withdrawing the tourism advisory, the administration stated that tourists who want to visit the region will be provided with the necessary assistance and logistic support.

As normalcy started returning, postpaid mobile phone services were resumed in five districts - Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri, and Poonch - of the Jammu region on August 29. The Central government had abrogated Article 370 and also bifurcated the former State into Union Territories (UTs) of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The new UTs will come into being on October 31.