Google Taking 3.5GHz Tests to NASCAR

Google wants to test 3.5GHz radios at four NASCAR speedways over the summer and tells the FCC that CBRS technology is now part of a "secret commercially valuable plan" for the tech giant.

In redacted documentation dated April 28, 2017, Google asked the FCC for "Special Temporary Authority (STA)" to test 3.5GHz technology at raceways. The STA was granted on May 22.

"The STA is needed to test the transmission of [LTE] broadband data from racecars to transportable/fixed base stations located at racetrack facilities in connection with four NASCAR automobile racing events," Google noted.

The dates and locations are:

June 10-20, Michigan International Speedway Brooklyn, MI

August 11-21, Bristol Motor Speedway Bristol, TN

August 26-September 5, Darlington Raceway Darlington, SC

September 1-11, Richmond International Raceway Richmond, VA

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This license builds on an earlier Las Vegas speedway test for 3.5GHz -- or Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) -- infrastructure. Google is also testing the technology in 24 cities in the US. (See Google, Nokia & Qualcomm Racing Towards 3.5GHz and Google Looks to Test 3.5GHz Broadband Radios.)

Intriguingly, Google says in the FCC documents that it is testing "proprietary wireless applications" as part of that whole "secret commercially valuable plan."

— Dan Jones, Mobile Editor, Light Reading