Google is attempting to secretly test a 6GHz network in 17 various states, according to a batch of FCC filings found by Business Insider. Exactly what Google is trying to test is unclear.
Heres a few things we do understand. Google wishes to experiment with 6GHz spectrum to “produce technical info relevant to the energy of these frequencies for providing dependable broadband connections.” The business also says it expects the experiments to happen over 24 months, and has actually asked consent to do the tests in 26 cities and towns across 17 states– consisting of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.
Theres a lot of possibilities for what Google might want to be evaluating with that spectrum
Beyond that, theres not a lot we can distinguish these documents– and there are a great deal of possibilities for what Google may want with that 6GHz spectrum. The “supplying trusted broadband connections” language might recommend that Google wants to explore some sort of home web service– perhaps a possible future offering under the Google Fiber Webpass banner.
Google might have other usages for that 6GHz spectrum. Wi-Fi 6E routers might run at 6GHz, as might vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and the latest 5G requirements suggest unlicensed 6GHz spectrum might even be used for 5G cellular networks. Googles not limited to existing concepts, however– its called unlicensed spectrum for a factor.
We dont know what Googles dealing with today. The filings tell us Google is hoping to utilize that newly-opened 6GHz spectrum for some sort of “secret commercially valuable plan,” and were quite curious what that may be.
The important things to learn about 6GHz is that its expected to permit faster and more reputable connections– it can bring more bandwidth than the 2.4 GHz or 5GHz connections you may already be familiar with, and there could be less cordless interference in between gadgets too. However much like 5GHz Wi-Fi offers shorter variety than 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, its likely that 6GHz networks will have shorter range still.
Google might have other uses for that 6GHz spectrum. Only just recently did the FCC approve a plot of unlicensed 6GHz spectrum, and any variety of things might make the most of that. Wi-Fi 6E routers may perform at 6GHz, as could vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and the most recent 5G specifications suggest unlicensed 6GHz spectrum could even be used for 5G cellular networks. Googles not limited to existing ideas, though– its called unlicensed spectrum for a factor.
