You are here

Congressmen Call For More Wi-Fi In Parks, But Can National Park Service Manage It?

Share

While there might be high demand for Internet connectivity in the National Park System, many parks don't yet provide it, and experts say it could be challenging to provide it/NPS, David Restivo

A small handful of days before the National Park Service announced that its maintenance backlog had crept up to nearly $12 billion, five congressmen called for more funding for Internet connectivity in the National Park System. But here's the rub: Can the National Park Service easily provide that service if told to provide it? The experts don't think so. 

Wiring places like Grand Canyon National Park, Glacier National Park, and Yellowstone National Park does not happen as quickly or inexpensively as calling your local Internet Service Provider in, say, Chicago or New York or Kansas City and asking to have the service turned out. Many national parks are relatively remote from major fiber optics systems and phone service that can handle the additional load. Another issue is the harsh weather some parks endure in the winter and, in the case of Death Valley National Park, the summer.

Peter Jarich, vice president and wireless network infrastructure analyst at research firm Current Analysis, says all those issues can make it challenging for the Park Service to wire the park system. And then there's also the need to make the Wi-Fi infrastructure unobtrusive.

“You don’t want to detract from the reason why people are coming to the park in terms of beauty, so there’s going to have to be some level of disguising,” he told FedTech Magazine.

The question of whether to provide greater connectivity in the National Park System can generate stalwart proponents...and opponents. Back in 2009 officials in Yellowstone adopted a Wi-Fi and cellphone plan, something that led Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility to dub the efforts "a disturbing stealth scheme to wire our national park system."

PEER launched a petition drive with hopes of landing 15,000 signatures on a letter asking Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to halt Wi-Fi plans in the park system, saying that "(V)isitors come to national parks in search of serenity and unspoiled vistas, but the proliferation of cell phone towers throughout our park system makes it increasingly difficult to escape the electronic tendrils of society and commune with nature while someone next to you is jabbering on a cell phone, receiving texts, or watching videos."

However, just 2,045 people signed the petition, far below the 15,000-signature goal.

Comments

Suck it up Princess and go without. National Parks are about getting away from it all, renewing our resolve to make the world a better place and restoring the natural balance in our lives. We need somewhere to get away from the political rat races that seem to dominate our electoral processes.


 National Parks are about getting away from it all, renewing our resolve to make the world a better place and restoring the natural balance in our lives.

That may be how you use them but others use them in different ways. And those other ways are just a valid as yours.


David, interesting comment. Like many others on the listserve, I have mixed emotions, but from my own experience the last 8 years working as a Fire Information Officer, I have changed my own view on the issue. I work in a major park and interact with visitors from all over the world, the best part of the job. Through there is some hateful stuff out there in the cyber world, I see people really enjoying their tablets, cell phones, you name it. At age 76, I am a real novice, but I did get a super tablet for Christmas (from spouse, daughter and son),  must admit I am hooked. The visitors I interact with on a daily basis are thrilled to be in the park, taking pictures and sending them all over the world, to Russia, China, Iran, Brazil, Cuban, Germany, everywhere,  it is amazing. And every picture has a great view with smiling nice people in it.  I often times take a picture for them, so they can all be in it. I must admit I no longer have a problem with this tech stuff,  in fact I am beginning to see billfold size solar panels on backpacker hates keeping their devices charged. All the trail maps you need, google earth, well it is the biggest change in my lifetime, I am getting use to it, in fact to some extent I have joined them,  for better or worse.  


Forcing Wi-Fi and Cell Service in the name of progress one would think is very much counter to anything ever thought of as an appropriate use of these National Parks.  Ask many that have witnessed the transformation at Phantom Ranch even among the work mate of Park Ranger.   Me, me, me instead of gratitude for being in such a place.    Leave all the crap out of the temple.


I remember back when I was 18, in 1980, I took a trip to Yellowstone with a couple of friends. We hiked to the top of Mount Washburn and low and behold there was a phone booth in the fire look out so I called my Mom. In todays terms, there are very few phone booths left and today you may only send a text and a picture, instead of a post card.


Forcing Wi-Fi and Cell Service

Nobody is forcing you to do anything

 is very much counter to anything ever thought of as an appropriate use of these National Parks

Maybe anything you ever thought of, but others think differently and their thoughts are just as valid as yours.  


Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.