Google is working with NASCAR to test new high-speed wireless technology

Nascar
Nascar

(Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Google is taking its wireless technology to the races.

Access, the Google spinout focused on high speed internet service, is working with NASCAR to test 3.6GHz wireless broadband networks using racecars, according to new filings by the company.

The company is seeking permission from the FCC for an experimental radio license to test "the transmission of broadband data from racecars to transportable/fixed base stations located at racetrack facilities."

It's all happening this summer at four events in NASCAR-loving locales like Tennessee, Michigan, South Carolina, and Virginia.

The application, filed with the FCC on Friday, is highly redacted and provides only limited details about the plans. There's scant technical info about the type of wireless technology to be used, other than the fact that it will involve a frequency between 3400 MHz and 3600 MHz.

That's the spectrum for the so-called Citizens Radio Broadband Service, an unlicensed radio band that companies like Google beleive could be useful for 4G LTE wireless networks.

In fact, in February Google teamed up with Nokia and Qualcomm to test 3.5Ghz wireless technology at a Las Vegas racetrack. According to the press release, the trio demonstrated the "first live demo of a private LTE network of CBRS shared spectrum."

That demonstration apparently allowed the companies to provide "360 degree video streaming for an in-car experience in real time," with cars travelling at speeds of 180 miles per hour.

Google's FCC documents list Milo Medin, the Vice President of Access, the broadband internet service subsidiary that rolled out Google Fiber and is now a standalone Alphabet company. Google has halted the expansion of its Fiber broadband effort as it looks for ways to offer wireless high-speed service instead.

Racecar drivers might make for good guinea pigs to test out high speed data and communications services.

Of course, Google is also developing self-driving cars so such an experiment could potentially be useful to understand wireless transmissions at high speeds.

Google was not immediately available for comment.

Here's the schedule for the upcoming Google NASCAR tests, per the filing:

Nascar
Nascar

(FCC)

NOW WATCH: Bill Nye has a 'bone to pick' with NASCAR



More From Business Insider

Advertisement