Google now describes 3.5GHz CBRS wireless as part of a 'secret commercially valuable plan' for the company.

Dan Jones, Mobile Editor

May 30, 2017

1 Min Read
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

      Want to know more about 5G? Check out our dedicated 5G content channel here on Light Reading.

      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

About the Author(s)

Dan Jones

Mobile Editor

Dan is to hats what Will.I.Am is to ridiculous eyewear. Fedora, trilby, tam-o-shanter -- all have graced the Jones pate during his career as the go-to purveyor of mobile essentials.

But hey, Dan is so much more than 4G maps and state-of-the-art headgear. Before joining the Light Reading team in 2002 he was an award-winning cult hit on Broadway (with four 'Toni' awards, two 'Emma' gongs and a 'Brian' to his name) with his one-man show, "Dan Sings the Show Tunes."

His perfectly crafted blogs, falling under the "Jonestown" banner, have been compared to the works of Chekhov. But only by Dan.

He lives in Brooklyn with cats.

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