Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department

PROJECT PURPOSE

Extension of State fiber network and mobile phone connectivity to serve facilities at all state parks and Travel Information Centers. Project would provide connectivity to allow for public safety communications to visitors and allow for app-based interpretive services to be made available to park and TIC visitors, which will improve guest experience.

EVIDENCE

The lack of WIFI service and general connectivity within parks is one of the top complaints of visitors. Staff is unable to communicate out to visitors via push notifications due to the lack of mobile connectivity in parks.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Generally, park users are made up of households below the state's median HH income. During the pandemic, we saw a large increase in families who wanted to telework and/or virtual school while visiting the parks. Lack of connectivity made this difficult or impossible for those families.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

OTRD has identified locations with poor or no mobile/WIFI connectivity and tracks visitation to those sites.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma