Cell Service Improves in Yellowstone

Cellular phone service in Yellowstone National Park will see improvements this summer despite criticism from some that increased connectivity takes away from the serenity of the country’s first national park.
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports park Superintendent Dan Wenk recently signed off on a telecommunication improvement project that includes upgrades to wireless infrastructure at Mount Washburn and Grant Village with new towers at Canyon Village and Lake.
Bret De Young, the park’s telecommunications chief, says the Verizon Wireless project will improve the speed of wireless service, but won’t go so far as to allow streaming movies. He says people want to be able to check hotel reservations.
However, the national group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility says the expansion, quote, “further marginalizes national park policies that called for protecting soundscapes, pristine vistas and serenity values.” Endquote.