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Glacier National Park Seeks Public Input On Telecommunications Plan

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Published Date

February 25, 2020
The road to Many Glacier Hotel and Swiftcurrent Lake will be affected by much-needed repairs in 2020 and 2021/NPS

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radio coverage, slow internet and network speeds, limited bandwidth, lack of phone or data access, and lack of or outdated equipment.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.

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Comments

Submitted by Nancy on February 26, 2020 - 6:58pm.

Leave everything as is.


Submitted by Albert Anderson on February 26, 2020 - 8:18pm.

No.


Submitted by Mary Schneider on February 27, 2020 - 5:25am.

Please no...


Submitted by Suzi S on February 27, 2020 - 10:49am.

Cell phone coverage in Apgar would be nice to help check on family or things at home. But part of the reason for going to Glacier is to get away from the city , the noise, the stress.  The only reason I can see having WI FI available is to check on camping and see if areas are full without having to go into Apgar. 


Submitted by ecbuck on February 27, 2020 - 12:18pm.

If you don't want it, don't use it.  Why must people thrust their prejudices on others?


Submitted by Nelss08 on February 27, 2020 - 6:47pm.

Yes please. At least in the campsite areas 


Submitted by BrianP on February 27, 2020 - 9:51pm.

I know, I know, I'm not supposed to be feeding the troll.  But I just can't help myself when it comes to NPT's favorite troll.  EC, why do you always thrust your prejudices on others?


Submitted by ecbuck on February 28, 2020 - 9:24am.

Brian - I don't.  I tell people what I believe, I deliver facts.  I don't tell them how to live their lives.  You can do anything you like, believe anything you want as long as it doesn't harm me or my country or anyone else and I don't have to pay for it.

 

 


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