Google has filed a request with the Federal Communications Commission seeking permission to run an experimental wireless network around its Mountain View, Calif., headquarters. The request mentions the 2524GHz to 2625GHz spectrum band, which is currently owned by Clearwire Corporation and is incompatible with the bulk of existing phones and tablets.
Much of Google’s request is confidential, and does not provide clues as to the purpose of this experimental network. When reached for comment, Google told The Wall Street Journal that it often “experiments with new things.” Clearwire declined to comment.
This is not the first time Google has sought to run a test network around its headquarters. In 2007, Google had an operational test network that it used to help develop the Android operating system, which launched in 2008. What’s not clear is if Google’s recent request with the FCC pertains to the old network it ran in 2007, or an entirely new one.
