# Connect Our Parks Act: Plain Language Summary

This bill directs the National Park Service to figure out which national parks lack good internet and cell phone service, then create a plan to fix the problem. Right now, many parks have dead zones where visitors and park employees can't get online or make calls. The bill requires the Interior Department to spend a year studying all national parks to identify exactly where broadband internet and cellular coverage are needed most. They'll look at housing for park staff, visitor lodging, campgrounds, administrative buildings, and any other spots where the park superintendent thinks connectivity matters. For cell service specifically, they're focusing on areas where better coverage would help with emergency services, traveler information, and letting park employees do their jobs more effectively.

After completing this assessment, the government has three years to develop an actual implementation plan for installing the infrastructure. This plan needs to balance connectivity with protecting what makes parks special—meaning they can't just slap cell towers anywhere. The infrastructure has to go in previously disturbed areas or developed zones, not pristine wilderness. The bill also encourages public-private partnerships, so private companies could help build and operate the systems. When broadband is installed, it needs to meet a minimum speed standard of 100 megabits per second for downloads and 20 megabits per second for uploads—basically fast enough for video calls and streaming.

The bill requires the government to consult with Native American tribes and local communities before making decisions, and it emphasizes protecting the visual beauty of parks, cultural resources, and visitor experience. If a park already has adequate internet and cell service, the superintendent can opt out of the plan. The whole approach is technology-neutral, meaning the government isn't dictating whether parks use fiber optic cables, wireless towers, or satellite technology—whatever works best for each location.