Cellular connectivity in Acadia National Park

Bergquist, Zachary; Palacios, Andrea; Goklevent, Sarah

From the abstract: "The current cellular coverage status in Acadia National Park is limited and should be improved. Enhancing the cellular connectivity and the internet speed will have a positive social impact by enabling visitors to utilize technology for safety, education, and transportation. This project sought to actualize the goals outlined in the National Parks Service 'Calls to Action' by measuring cellular coverage in Acadia National Park. Furthermore, it sought to propose an array of potential solutions to improve the connectivity. The team measured the cellular signal strength in decibels (dBm) throughout Mount Desert Island, and generated a heatmap based on these data, displaying cellular coverage for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Similarly, the team quantified the internet ping (in milliseconds), upload, and download speeds (in Mbps). The team conducted surveys to obtain public opinions on expectations and experiences regarding cellular connectivity. Finally, the team analyzed the data and evaluated the best solution for expanding coverage in Acadia National Park."