Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Tech giant, Google LLC is seeking approval from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand the company’s Spectrum Access Systems (SAS) administration of the entire 3550-3700 MHz band in American Samoa.

In January last year, FCC approved Google and other SAS administrators for full scale commercial deployment in the 3.5 GHz band under the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS).

The Federal Communications Commission established CBRS as a way for shared wireless broadband use of the 3550- 3700 MHz band, which is more commonly known as the 3.5 GHz band. Some uses include wireless carriers, cable operators, and organizations.

A Spectrum Access System (SAS) is a cloud-based service that manages the wireless communications of devices transmitting in the CBRS band, in order to prevent harmful interference to higher priority users — an example of which is Navy ships.

Google explained that it has been providing commercial SAS services continuously since Initial Commercial Deployment was authorized in September 2019.

Google’s SAS now serves a large number of CBRS base stations in both the General Authorized Access and Priority Access tiers. The number of base stations being served by Google’s SAS continues to rapidly increase, especially as relaxation of pandemic restrictions begins to allow significant growth in enterprise CBRS deployments for offices, sports venues, shopping malls, and other locations.

“Google accordingly requests that the conditions of its approval as a SAS Administrator be amended to include permission to provide commercial SAS service in the entirety of the 3550-3700 MHz CBRS band in American Samoa,” according to the company’s request letter.

Google says it appreciates the work of NTIA, DoD, and FCC in fully opening American Samoa for CBRS operations and asks for timely approval of the requested modification.

At the time of approval, FCC noted that if a SAS operator intends to operate in additional U.S. Territories and Possessions, it must submit a new filing detailing the additional territories that it plans to cover.

In it’s May 4th request letter, Google noted that on April 26th the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the US Department of Defense (DoD) notified FCC that it has defined a Dynamic Protection Area (DPA) for the coastal area surrounding American Samoa.

The establishment of a DPA is one precondition to allowing service in the 3550-3650 MHz portion of the CBRS band because it defines the area in which incumbent military radar activity can occur on a protected basis from CBRS interference.

No information available yet as to when FCC will issue a decision on Google’s request.