Google seeks temporary license for 27.9-28 GHz experiments

Once again, Google is asking the Federal Communications Commission for an experimental license so that it can conduct highly secretive experiments, this time in the 28 and 31 GHz bands, in northern California. By design, it's impossible to determine from the company's highly redacted filing what exactly it intends to do in the spectrum. However, Google spelled out how its tests will not adversely impact any authorized users of RF spectrum in the bands and appears to have ascertained the necessary frequency coordination with other spectrum users.

"While most of Google's testing will use wideband transmissions, Google also seeks authorization to conduct limited narrowband testing in the 31 GHz band," the filing stated. "Narrowband testing is expected to take place over no more than 12 hours during the pendency" of the special temporary authority (STA). Based on technical specs listed in the filing, it appears that the experiments are terrestrial in nature and will be in a relatively confined area using relatively low power, said Tim Farrar, president at TMF Associates.