Google Wants To Test-Fly Drones In New Mexico

There are a lot of Google-owned entities, with some overlapping in a big way. One of those situations involves Project Loon, born of Google X, and Titan Aerospace, which Google purchased earlier this year. The two will team up to offer Internet service over areas that don't currently have a strong signal, if one at all, with Google testing Titan drones in New Mexico.

Google has requested the ability to flight-test their Titan drones from the FCC, which they previously announced would fall under the auspice of Project Loon. In a letter to the FCC, Google said "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 STA [Special Temporary Authority] is needed for demonstration and testing of [REDACTED] in a carefully controlled environment."

Google wants to run their tests for six months, starting in early October. Google is planning to transmit at frequencies of 910MHz to 927MHz, and on the 2.4GHz band. That would provide a very capable signal when the drone is overhead, and a widespread signal to bring connectivity to quite a few in the area.

The 900MHz band isn't typically used for Internet connectivity, so it's unclear just why Google would be testing there. It could simply be a mostly dead band that they are testing low-frequency signal on, but the FCC documents weren't forthcoming with that info. Google has asked that the FCC keep details of their testing under wraps.

Via: Ars Technica