Manipur partially withdraws ban on broadband; mobile internet remains suspended

Manipur government lifts suspension on broadband internet, mobile internet remains banned. Connection only through static IP, no Wifi Hotspots. Government considers suffering of people, ban affected offices, institutions, people working from home, mobile recharge, LPG cylinder booking, payment of electricity bills, other online services.

The Manipur government on July 25 lifted the suspension on broadband internet conditionally in a "liberalised manner", nearly three months after it was banned due to the ethnic violence in the State.

However, mobile internet will remain suspended, the Home Department said in a notification.

"Connection will be only through static IP and that the subscriber concerned shall not accept any other connection other than allowed for the time being [TSP/ISP shall be held responsible for non-compliance of this condition]," it said.

"No Wifi Hotspots shall be allowed from any of the routers and systems using the connection at any cost by the subscriber concerned," it said.

The government has considered the suffering of the people as the internet ban affected offices and institutions, and people working from home, besides mobile recharge, LPG cylinder booking, payment of electricity bills, and other online services, the order said.

It said the suspension on broadband internet has been lifted in a liberalised manner, subject to fulfilment of several terms and conditions.