Glacier National Park staff is working to develop better telecommunications connectivity in the park/NPS file
Where in Glacier National Park do you want to have decent cellphone coverage, or Wi-Fi available? Suggestions for those issues are being fielded by park staff as they do public scoping on an environmental assessment for improving telecommunications in the park.
The plan is to correct deficiencies in radio, phone, and computer or data-based communications that support park operations and would also develop guidelines for connectivity in developed areas for non-governmental end-users.
Reliable and effective telecommunication systems are essential to the performance of park operations and maintaining employee and visitor safety. But radio, phone, and computer/data-based communications in the park are currently limited, unreliable, or unavailable in several areas. Issues include insufficient radio coverage, slow internet and network speeds, limited bandwidth, lack of phone or data access, and lack of or outdated equipment. A comprehensive, integrated plan is needed to improve the overall effectiveness of park communications and enable a flexible response to changing needs and technology.
A telecommunications plan is also needed to develop an appropriate strategy for expanding data and/or cellular connectivity for non-governmental use. There is an increased reliance on connectivity in developed areas among visitors and off-duty employees, and the Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires the National Park Service to consider applications from commercial providers who propose installing telecommunications infrastructure on park lands. The park’s telecommunications plan would establish parameters for telecommunications infrastructure, coverage areas, and other factors.
The proposed plan would include several site-specific actions, for which the full scope or design cannot be known until closer to the time of implementation.
A scoping newsletter with more information is available on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/GNPtelecommunicationsplan. Comments can be posted to this website, or sent by mail to Superintendent, Glacier National Park, Attn: Telecommunications Plan, PO Box 1, West Glacier, Montana, 59936. Public scoping is open through March 9.
Comments
Much of it, of course, only considered 'facts' within a self contained and insular world. And a big emphasis on "I don't have to pay for it", as is true of most other selfish "conservatives". My only child is now 45 years old, but that doesn't mean I vote against school bond issues.
Edited to add: I do agree with your comments about "don't like it, don't use it" wi-fi. Having cell service available doesn't put a cinder block in everyone's pockets, but it does allow emergency contact. I speak here as both an experienced EMT, as well as having spent a few years as a seasonal emergency dispatcher for NPS law enforcement and EMS services.
No, no, and NO to cell phones or WIFI or whatever.
I imagine the various public safety units need to have an upgrade, and it won't be in every area of Glacier or the other big parks one day. The biggest negative is that you get people carrying on their loud personal phone conversations in front of everyone in the common areas, while others sit around in the lobbies and stare at their devices for hours, while others stay in the rooms with their devices for hours. No you don't have to use the service, but others will behave rudely and detract from the experience many come to seek.
I am an avid park visitor and Eagle Scout, and I love introducing the beauty of America to my children through the National Parks. I am in favor of improved cell phone coverage throughout the National Parks. WiFi would also be great to have through the Parks. I would love to be able to stay connected to my family while on day hikes, and I rely on apps on my phone for maps, weather conditions, plant, animal and bird identification. When I need to be disconnected from society, I am able to turn off my phone, but in emergency situations the need to reconnect to rangers, medical professionals, law enforcemen, etc, is vital.