Open letter for restoration of 4G internet in Jammu and Kashmir in wake of COVID-19
SFLC.in wrote an open letter to the Principle Secretary of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Home Minister Amit Shah on March 31 requesting them to restore 4G internet speed in Jammu and Kashmir.
Kashmir has been facing an internet blackout since August 4, 2019 and it is only recently that citizens have gained access to the internet at 2G speed. The current order issued by the Centre following the top court’s ruling states that the speed of the internet will be restricted to 2G till April 3, 2020 after which the order will be pending a review.
COVID-19 is an unprecedented pandemic which has resulted in public health chaos. As of March 31, 2020, the number of cases of COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir has reached 55. To fight this global pandemic, timely information is needed which isn’t possible without reasonably high speed internet access. Restricted internet has led to citizens of the UT, not being able to download informative videos as well as resource material for dissemination of necessary and accurate information, when a lot of rumours and misinformation are doing the rounds. Timely access to information is important for the general public, medical professionals and journalists to fight the pandemic.
In order to contain the spread of infection and monitor patients, telemedicine is important along with access to high speed internet for doctors to be able to access material online and to do video consultations with other healthcare practitioners as well as patients.
There is a severe lack of information regarding the pandemic among the citizens in Jammu and Kashmir owing to the fact that information cannot be accessed without access to proper internet. Multimedia content including that issued by the Health Ministry and WHO cannot be accessed with low speed internet. There are a number of students, working professionals and other citizens who have been asked to work from home due to the lock down in view of the corona virus, and this is possible only if unrestricted access to the internet is allowed.
Sub- clause (d) of Clause 4 o the Annexure to order no. 40-3/2020 dated 24-03-2020 issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs states that telecommunications, internet services, broadcasting and cable services, IT and IT enabled services are exceptions to lock-down for essential services. Functional high speed internet is a pre-requisite to contain the pandemic as well as to mitigate the damage both in terms of health of the citizens and economy
In our letter, we have requested the government to consider the prevailing extraordinary circumstances and restore 4G internet in Jammu and Kashmir on an urgent basis.
About SFLC.IN
SFLC.IN is a donor-supported legal services organisation that brings together lawyers, policy analysts, technologists, and students to protect freedom in the digital world. SFLC.in promotes innovation and open access to knowledge by helping developers make great Free and Open Source Software, protect privacy and civil liberties for citizens in the digital world by educating and providing free legal advice and help policy makers make informed and just decisions with the use and adoption of technology.
For further communication:
Prasanth Sugathan
Voluntary Legal Director, SFLC.IN
prasanth@sflc.in
Read the letter below:
Via Electronic Mail Communication
March 31th, 2020
To
Shri Shaleen Kabra
The Principal Secretary
Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir
Sir,
Sub: Request to restore 4G Internet Speed in Jammu & Kashmir in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic
Software Freedom Law Center, India (SFLC.IN) is a donor supported legal services organisation that brings together lawyers, policy analysts, technologists, and students to protect freedom in the digital world.
We are writing to you today to request you to kindly take into account the current situation that has been created due to COVID-19 and therefore restore the internet at 4G speed in Jammu and Kashmir.
Kashmir has faced an internet blackout since August 4, 2019 and it is only recently that they have gained access to the internet at 2G speed. The current order issued by the Home Ministry states that the speed of the internet will be restricted to 2G till April 3, 2020 after which the order will be pending a review.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the country to go on a lockdown. A number of people have been working from home and they need unrestricted and uninterrupted internet connection to be able to do so. One way to fight the pandemic is through information which in the modern world is disseminated through online media which now requires a reasonably fast internet connection. In order to contain the spread of infection and monitor patients, telemedicine is important along with access to high speed internet for doctors to be able to access material online and do video consultations with other healthcare practitioners as well as patients.
There are a number of cases that have been detected in Jammu and Kashmir and they are continuously rising at an alarming rate. Due to unavailability of the high speed internet, awareness about precautions and dissemination of basic information is not possible. There is a severe lack of awareness among people in addition to immense misinformation and rumours among the common
masses. Video content including that of the Health Ministry and WHO cannot be streamed due to the restriction in internet speed.
In the annexure to the order no. 40-3/2020 dated 24-03-2020, point number 4 sub part D states that Telecommunications, internet services, broadcasting and cable services, IT and IT enabled services form a part of essential services. Functional high speed internet is needed urgently to contain the pandemic as well as to reduce the damage that is caused by it on the life of citizens as well as the economy.
Considering the extraordinary circumstances of the current pandemic and the utility of high speed internet in dissemination of information as well for telemedicine, we humbly request you to restore 4G internet speed in Jammu and Kashmir.
Thank you for time and consideration,
On behalf of SFLC.in,
Warmly,
Prasanth Sugathan
Volunteer Legal Director
SFLC.in
