Google Experimental License Application Could Face Questions
The FCC may question Google's plans for nationwide testing in the 71-76 and 81-86 GHz bands when it already has an experimental license for testing in narrower bands, said consulting wireless engineer Steve Crowley in a blog post Wednesday. The…
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application is heavily redacted, "but there’s enough there to infer that that this involves high-altitude airborne testing -- perhaps connected to Project Loon or to solar-powered drones emerging from Google’s Titan Aerospace acquisition," Crowley said. The application follows an experimental license the FCC granted Google in June for radio equipment testing in the 75.21-75.79 GHz, 84.21-84.79 GHz and 85.21-85.79 GHz bands specifically in a block of California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming. "The FCC is leery of experimental operations morphing into services and it may probe Google why it needs to go nationwide over a much larger frequency range," Crowley said. Google didn't comment.