SRINAGAR: A day after Jammu and Kashmir administration lifted the ban on social media, BSNL on Thursday restored broadband services in the Valley for the first time since the nullification of Article 370 on August 5.

On Wednesday, for the first time in seven months, the administration had given access to social media platforms, but only on 2G mobile data services and fixed line internet provided by private players. Fixed line internet services by BSNL were not included in the relaxation announced on Wednesday.

BSNL PRO Masood Bala said that broadband internet service was restored across the Valley on Thursday afternoon. “The charges for the period of suspension of broadband service have been waived for the consumers,” he added.

Communication links in the Union territory were snapped on August 5 last year when the Centre ended the special status enjoyed by J&K. Phone links were restored in the subsequent months and on January 25, access only to 300 white-listed websites - including those related to emails, banking, education, jobs, travel, entertainment, etc – were restored for a week. This was periodically extended.

Broadband internet services were not snapped in the Jammu region, though internet on mobile phones was suspended for a few weeks post August 5.

