Google Experimental License Application Faces Criticisms
Google's push for a two-year experimental license to allow nationwide testing in the 71-76 and 81-86 GHz bands is facing pushback over interference concerns, and from a variety of parties concerned about biological effects from wireless communications. The heavily redacted…
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experimental license application submitted in December doesn't give specifics but is believed to be related to high-altitude airborne testing (see 1512020025). The Fixed Wireless Communications Coalition (FWCC) in an FCC Office of Engineering and Technology filing Monday said Google needs to provide more information about its interference mitigation strategy for site-based incumbent licensees operating in the same bandwidth. Since Google's application was heavily redacted, FWCC said, "the extent to which [it] would impact incumbent licensees in these bands is unknown." Maryland Smart Meter Awareness (MSMA), an advocacy group against smart meters for health and privacy reasons, said in its filing Monday the agency should deny the Google application because it "would involve blanketing the entire U.S. and its atmosphere in radiofrequency/microwave radiation." "Connectivity that is protective of health and the environment and that delivers necessary tools to all can be achieved safely through cable if we care enough to insist on it," MSMA said. Global Union Against Radiation Deployment From Space, an advocacy group opposed to satellite-based broadband, filed a similar objection last month: "Global wireless access, with all its serious safety problems, is an unacceptable hazard. Widely available fast Internet access is a goal that can be safely attained using various forms of cabled connectivity." Google didn't comment Tuesday.