India Kashmir logs on to ‘slow’ Internet after seven months

A file photo of a Kashmiri journalist, center, browsing the Internet on his mobile phone inside the media center set up by government authorities in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir. Within an hour of lifting the ban social media sites like Twitter and Facebook were abuzz with Kashmiri users posting messages of relief, and WhatsApp messaging service came alive again. — AP

SRINAGAR, India: Authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir restored access to the Internet and social media on March 4, nearly seven months after New Delhi imposed limits when it revoked the semi-autonomous status of the disputed region.

Access however will be limited to slow, second generation 2G speed for mobile and fixed line subscribers across the region, home to nearly 14 million people, a government order read.