New Google Research Note: Wi-Fi is the tip of the iceberg

Google is known as a Wi-Fi advocate, but its spectrum policy ambitions go much further.

Cheap and ubiquitous Wi-Fi supports its internet business, led by its domination of the search market, but Google has a growing range of products which use the same bands. These include Google routers; the Nest home control system; Waymo technologies for autonomous cars; and Loon’s high-altitude balloons.

Its plans extend far beyond the WiFi bands. It wants to expand unlicensed use in the 57-71 GHz range and introduce light licensing frameworks in 70/80 GHz.

Google advocates a mix of licensed and unlicensed bands but wants the balance shifted dramatically. It is a driving force behind CBRS and argues that the same database-driven three tiered sharing approach can be extended to 28 GHz, 37 GHz, 24 GHz and 39 GHz.

Google’s full research note is available to Spectrum Research Service subscribers here.