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11/22/2024 01:06:53 am

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Google to Test New Flying Internet Drones in New Mexico

Google last week requested the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to use two blocks of frequencies to test deliver Internet access through a high flying drone above New Mexico.

The tests, which are set begin in October and will last six months, will be conducted in a 1,400 kilometers area in the center of the state and east of Albuquerque.

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"Google recently acquired Titan Aerospace, a firm that specializes in developing solar and electric unmanned aerial systems for high altitude, long endurance flights," Google said in its application.

"These systems may eventually be used to provide Internet connections in remote areas or help monitor environmental damage, such as oil spills or deforestation."

The company said that request for short-term authorization to produce transmissions was required "for demonstration and testing of [REDACTED] in a carefully controlled environment."

The redaction of specific parts of applications is allowed by the FCC in applications they receive if it offers too much information to rivals of the filing party.

Google said in the application it hopes to use two blocks of frequencies, one between 2.4 gigahertz and 2.414 GHz and the other in 910 megahertz and 927MHz. Both are nicknamed "industrial, scientific and medical" bands commonly put to use in unlicensed operations.

While the 2.4 GHz band offers a widespread signal to an immediate area, the 900 MHz band isn't generally used for Internet connectivity, according to Slash Gear. The use of the 900 MHz band is still unclear.

Google's application has yet to be answered by the FCC.

The request for authorization comes in the wake of the Internet company's moves to test Internet delivery from unmanned autonomous flying vehicles.

Last year, Google unveiled Project Loon, a program to provide Internet access to rural and remote areas using a set of balloons floating 20 kilometers above the Earth.

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