“One of the tell-tale signs you’ve crossed into Glacier National Park is that your phone turns into a mostly useless brick of electronics — unless of course you want to use it to take a photo of the stunning mountain vistas. But that could soon change after the National Park Service released a comprehensive telecommunications plan that calls for improved communications systems, including cell service, within the park’s boundaries.
Not everyone supports the idea of cell service in parks. Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a national nonprofit that encourages public land managers to adhere to environmental ethics and scientific integrity, said that cell service will only further “Disney-fy” national parks to the detriment of the visitor experience.
“The park service says it wants to meet visitor expectations, but if visitors suddenly want giraffes in the park are they going to go out and find some giraffes?” said Jeff Ruch, the group’s Pacific director.”
