 |
| Google is testing a secret 6 GHz network |
According to a series of FCC documents monitored by Business Insider, Google is trying to test an undercover 6GHz network in 17 different states. However, it is not clear what tests the search giant wants to take.
Based on this information, Google hopes to experiment with the 6 GHz spectrum band in order to generate technical information regarding the utility of these frequencies for reliable broadband connections.
The company also plans to run the tests within 24 months and has requested permission to run the tests in 26 cities in 17 states.
These states include Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.
There isn't much to learn from these documents, but Google might hope to extract many opportunities from the 6GHz network.
The phrase "providing reliable broadband connectivity" might indicate that the search giant is looking to try some kind of home internet service - and may develop potential future products under the Google Fiber Webpass banner.
However, Google can use 6 GHz networks for other purposes as well, as the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently approved the use of unlicensed 6 GHz spectrum and many things can be used.
These devices are expected to meet the (Wi-Fi 6E) standard to support 6GHz wireless networks by the end of this year, resulting in high performance, low latency and faster data rates.
Vehicle-to-car communication can operate at a frequency of 6 GHz, and the frequency spectrum in the 6 GHz band allows to reduce wireless interference between devices.
The latest 5G specifications show that unlicensed 6GHz spectrum can be used in 5G cellular networks.
The spectrum in the 6 GHz band should allow for faster and more reliable connections so that this spectrum can carry greater bandwidth than 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz connections.
Just as 5GHz wireless network provides shorter range than 2.4GHz wireless network, 6GHz network can also offer shorter range.
While we don't currently know what Google is doing, the document tells us that the search giant is hoping to leverage the recently opened 6 GHz spectrum for a secret plan with commercial value.