Google Fiber eyes 24 US locations for high-speed tests

Google Fiber is one of those Goole properties that you can’t really divine its goals and future. On the one hand, it helps test Google’s technical abilities as well as its clout in the Internet provider industry. On the other hand, the company seems to be doing a “two steps forward, one step back” dance and it’s almost impossible to predict where lightning will strike next. Well, according to an uncovered FCC filing, lightning will actually strike 24 locations in the US where Google has requested permission to test its newer, faster wireless technologies.

24 locations, which includes 12 cities, is no small number. That’s even more than the currently supported Google Fiber locations spread throughout the country. Indeed, some locations are already enjoying Google Fiber, while others, like Provo, Utah and Reston, Virginia, are totally new targets.

Here’s the full list of those 24 locations:

• Phoenix, Arizona

• Atwater, California

• Los Angeles, California

• Mountain View, California

• Palo Alto, California

• San Bruno, California

• San Francisco, California

• San Jose, California

• Boulder, Colorado

• Tampa, Florida

• Atlanta, Georgia

• Chicago, Illinois

• Des Moines, Iowa

• Kansas City. Kansas

• Omaha, Nebraska

• Las Vegas, Nevada

• New York, New York

• Raleigh. North Carolina

• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• Portland, Oregon

• Austin, Texas

• Provo, Utah

• Blacksburg, Virginia

• Reston, Virginia

The reason for the sudden jump in numbers is believed to be two-fold. The first is that Google is seeking to test its new wireless transmission technology that courses through the 3.4 to 3.8 GHz bands, which, while considerably bumps up speeds, also puts it in a collision course with other users of those bands, including military radar systems.

Google’s confidence in those numbers is also due to its acquisition of the Webpass service provider last June. Webpass already delivers fiber Internet to a lot more locations than Google Fiber covers, and piggybacking on Webpass’ existing infrastructure allows it to bypass many regulatory processes.

As to when the tests will begin, that will, of course, depend on FCC approval. It will be a closed party anyway, so consumers will just have to wait for Google to get its act together.

VIA: Business Insider