Google is reportedly trying to test a 6GHz network in 17 U.S. states and is seeking authorization from the Federal Communications Commission to do so.
The Verge, citing a Business Insider story, reports that Google wants to experiment with 6GHz spectrum to “produce technical information relevant to the utility of these frequencies for providing broadband connections.” These tests are expected to take place over 24 months in 26 different cities and towns across 17 states.
The Verge suggests Google is experimenting with some kind of home internet service possibly under the Google Fiber Webpass banner.
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More from The Verge:
But Google could have other uses for that 6GHz spectrum as well. Only recently did the FCC approve a plot of unlicensed 6GHz spectrum, and any number of things could take advantage of that. Wi-Fi 6E routers might run at 6GHz, as could vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and the latest 5G specifications suggest unlicensed 6GHz spectrum could even be used for 5G cellular networks. Google’s not limited to existing ideas, though — it’s called unlicensed spectrum for a reason.
The thing to know about 6GHz is that it’s expected to allow for faster and more reliable connections — it can carry more bandwidth than the 2.4GHz or 5GHz connections you might already be familiar with, and there could be less wireless interference between devices as well. But just like 5GHz Wi-Fi offers shorter range than 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, it’s likely that 6GHz networks will have shorter range still.
In the filings – which are heavily redacted – Google says the technology is expected to lead to “material developments in markets subject to competition from multiple U.S. and non-U.S. third parties.” Public disclosure would jeopardize the value of the technology, Google says.
According to 9to5Google, the company will test in these cities:
- Atwater
- Los Angeles (Google)
- Menlo Park
- San Bruno (Google)
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Boulder, Colorado
- Tampa, Florida
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Evanston, Illinois
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Kansas City, Kansas
- Omaha, Nebrask
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- New York, New York
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Portland, Oregon
- Austin, Texas
- Provo, Utah
- Blacksburg, Virginia x3
- Reston, Virginia
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