A broadband company wants to install high-speed Internet service in developed areas of Yellowstone National Park, including the historic Lake Hotel/NPS
Yellowstone National Park staff is seeking public thoughts on a proposal to wire developed areas of the park with indoor Wi-Fi networks for park visitors and employees.
The official comment period, which opened Thursday evening and runs through November 29, was launched after an erroneous listing that indicated that it ran from October 28 through November 12. If approved, the National Park Service anticipates "that the installation will be expanded in the future to offer the same service to the NPS and other concessioners."
The company wanting to install the broadband service is AccessParks, which claims to have installed similar systems for many branches of the Armed Services. Under the company's application, if approved the right-of-way permit would allow for:
- The installation of up to 484 small (10 x 10 inch or 7 inch diameter) antennas on employee housing and visitor lodging facilities at Canyon Village, Grant Village, Lake Village, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Old Faithful.
- To link the antennas to internet providers outside the park, 39 additional antennas would be required and would include:
- 29 x 9 inch antennas installed at various locations in the developed areas at Canyon Village, Grant Village, Lake Village, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Old Faithful
- 6-foot-diameter antenna installed at an existing tower at Old Faithful
- one 2-foot and one 3-foot-diameter antenna installed on the existing tower at Mount Washburn
- Coverage could eventually extend to other developed areas such as Norris, Madison, and Bechler for administrative and employee use.
- Exterior antennas would be located in areas to minimize visibility. Where visible, the installations would be painted to match the buildings on which they are installed.
- In an effort to have no adverse effect to historic properties or districts, many of the antennas on National Register of Historic Places eligible structures would be located in attic spaces or under eaves.
- Examples of typical antenna placements and a list of affected properties are available here: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ap
The proposed installations would provide internet service to park visitors and employees in hotels and housing in developed areas. Consistent with the Yellowstone National Park Wireless Communication Services Plan, wireless access to recommended wilderness and park road corridors would be excluded.
Judging from the more than 1,000 comments posted on Yellowstone's Instagram feed and Traveler's Facebook page, there's quite a bit of opposition to the proposal.
"No. I don’t want to visit Yellowstone and see half the visitors looking at their phone instead of appreciating Yellowstone. Having WiFi would just ruin the whole vibe," read one comment on the park's IG feed.
"No. The point of going to these places is to reconnect with yourself," added another. "If you need WiFi you shouldn’t be there."
"While we are at it," another added sarcastically, "let's put a Starbucks in the Lamar Valley."
Comments posted on IG or on any other social media channel, however, will not be considered. To be considered, comments must either be made online, by hand-delivery, or via mail.
It also should be noted that the Park Service doesn't view comment periods as a "vote" on the proposal in question. Rather, it seeks substantive pro and con comments on why the proposal in question is seen as good or bad.
AccessParks staff maintains that lack of quality Internet service turns people off from visiting parks.
"We couldn’t stay in national parks or most RV parks for more than a few days due to lack of quality Internet," the company states on its website. "The solution we built for the most remote regions on earth for the military were a perfect fit for remote lodging and housing. Now, with AccessParks, we see a future where exploring the outdoors doesn’t have a time limit, and we can connect from anywhere, reliably."
Furthermore, says AccessParks, "(W)e believe that by addressing the need for predictable, quality internet in remote lodging, RV parks and campgrounds, we are helping more people experience the outdoors we love, for longer periods of time, and with the untethered freedom of exploring confidently. The outdoors should be a part of everyone’s life, especially younger generations. When parents can keep up with work for an hour in the evening, the kids benefit from longer stays."
Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly told Traveler earlier this week that the proposal arrived at the park early in 2018, and that AccessParks has installed similar networks at Glacier National Park and Lake Mead National Recration Area and is seeking approval at Grand Canyon National Park.
"Personally, providing the connectivity to visitors is secondary to providing connectivity to the 3,000-4,000 NPS and concession employees, many of whom live/work in some of the most remote parts of the park," said Sholly. "Lack of connectivity is regularly cited as a major concern by employees and their families, and is unquestionably a major recruitment/retention issue. That said, we hear regularly from visitors that they wish we had better WiFi in visitor centers and hotels. Keep in mind that we already have WiFi (and associated infrastructure) in many areas; it's just very very slow. The upgrades and technology proposed here would make a major difference to employees and visitors.
"In regards to people who opine that connectivity upgrades within developed areas shouldn't occur, I invite them to come live at Grant Village or South Entrance, or Old Faithful for a season," the superintendent added. "They can see first-hand the enormous frustration much of our workforce has not being able to connect - whether that's kids doing homework, or other things we all use the internet for."
Comments on the proposal can be hand-delivered to park staff during business hours at the Albright Visitor Center, Attention: Access Parks Broadband Proposal, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190.
Mailed comments should be addressed to: Compliance Office, Attention: Access Parks Broadband Proposal, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190.
Comments
Yes to wifi! Its a way of life. If you want to be somewhere and disconnected, turn your phone off! Wifi would allow me to stay longer and still work! I am in the park every werkend in the summer! Yes to wifi
There is a definite safety consideration for access to first responders. The hardware sounds discrete and those that don't want wifi are not forced to turn their devices on.
There needs to be a compromise. Administrators, employees and their families have an imperative need for reliable and quality Internet access for work, school, etc. Also, it isn't a lot to ask in return for the sacrifice of living in remote areas that their service requires of them, as well as their families. On the other hand, if you're considering a visit to the Park(s), understand that the privilege of viewing this breathtaking wilderness requires some sacrifices on your part, and one of those is that Internet is not going to be a part of the package. You have the choice of staying outside the Park, where Internet IS available, or staying home with all the comforts. I, for one, won't miss the crowds. Now that THAT'S settled, what can we do to make selfies illegal? Or toxic.
I do not support the introduction of high-speed internet into the park. We visited Yellowstone last summer and while we were there, we were able to truly disconnect from our devices and reconnect with each other and nature. While it is partially true that we can choose to be connected or not, we also know that business expectations and demands are never ending, and that these devices are also addictive. Having a place where we can go and say, "sorry, no reception!" is a gift in this day in age. There were moments of frustration not being able to connect with friends as we were traveling together, check the weather, traffic etc, However, I would far prefer this type of frustration over the constant pull of the internet.
No, I do not want wifi to be available in any national park.
As long as it is not outdoors what is the problem? Certainly the employees could use it.
After reading rhe proposal that it would be "Consistent with the Yellowstone National Park Wireless Communication Services Plan, wireless access to recommended wilderness and park road corridors would be excluded." I would like a better understanding of "recomended wilderness."
If this expansion into the park areas are specific for employees and lodging guest, if done responsibly would make the park more attractive for employees and visitors Giving better wireless internet access in those limited areas (administration, hotels, and housing in developed areas) would not deter from the beauty or the wilderness experience.
If, however, the expansion extends to any wilderness, trails, sites, or visitor areas not part of lodging, I fear that that it will deter from the experience of many to accomidate the desire of a few.
Too late for that. This list is kind of messed up a little bit as it assigns Yosemite lodging to SEKI and also uses the names used during the trademark dispute.